Prevalence of neuropathic pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis and its relevance with clinical parameters

Objective: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common, progressive musculoskeletal disease that causes chronic pain, loss of function and disability. Pain in the knee OA is mostly classified as nociceptive pain. However, the weakness of the relationship between the radiological stage and the complaint of the patient suggests that the pain source is multifactorial. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of neuropathic pain component in symptomatic primary knee OA, to assess the relationship between neuropathic pain and functional status, quality of life and anxiety-depression. Materials and Methods: 130 patients with a knee pain complaint who were older than 45 years old and who had primary knee OA according to ACR criteria were included. The PainDETECT scale was used for the diagnosis of neuropathic pain. Pain and functional status were assessed with VAS and WOMAC, quality of life with SF-36, and depression with HAD. All patients were evaluated radiographically. Findings: The mean age of 130 patients was 60,39±8,68. In 30 of 130 patients (23,07%), neuropathic pain score was 13 and over. patients. In terms of gender, age, BMI, body fat and muscle ratio, symptom duration, radiological grade, number of comorbidities, SF-36 role limitations due to physical health score no significant difference was found between the group with (n=30) and without (n=100) NP (p>0,05). The mean scores of VAS, WOMAC-pain, WOMAC-function, WOMAC-total and HAD scores were significantly higher in the group with neuropathic pain component, All SF-36 scores except SF-36 role limitations due to physical health subscale were found to be statistically significantly lower (p<0,05). Conclusion: Neuropathic pain component frequency (PainDETECT> 13) was found to be 23.07% in symptomatic primary knee OA. Presence of neuropathic pain component in patients with knee OA with neuropathic pain is associated with severity of pain, decreased functional capacity, deterioration of quality of life, and impaired mood. Presence of neuropathic pain component in primer knee OA treatment should also be considered. Key Words: Knee, osteoarthritis, neuropathy, depression, pain.