Frequency of neuropathic pain in si̇ckle cell di̇sease patients and investigation of relationship with clinical / laboratory findings

Aim : Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common hereditary hemoglobin disease in the world and this disease causes pain due to vasoocclusion. Although vasoocclusion is the etiology of these pains, it is thought that some of them are accompanied by neuropathic pain (NPA). Neuropathic pain can be detected using many scales. LANSS (Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs), DN-4 (Douleur Neuropathique 4 questions) and Pain Detect (PDQ) are the most commonly used scales. The aim of our study is to determine the frequency of NPA in our patients with OHD followed up in our clinic using these 3 scales and to evaluate the relationship between our patients and clinical and laboratory findings. Materials and Methods: 56 patients followed up with sickle cell disease and 56 healthy volunteers were included in the study. LANSS, DN-4 and Pain Detect scales were applied to both groups. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS 21 package program. Results: When the patient and control groups were compared, a statistically significant difference was found for all 3 scales, with the mean scores being higher in the patients (p = 0,000 for each). When the scales are compared according to the presence of NPA; likewise, the presence of NPA was detected in patients significantly compared to the control group (p = 0,000 for each). When sickle cell patients with neuropathic pain are evaluated within themselves; it was observed that neuropathic pain was more common in women, patients with comorbidities, those using hydroxyurea (HU), those who did not use folic acid (FA), those with an annual crisis number below 3 and patients with a CRP level below 5. However, this difference was not statistically significant (p> 0,05). Conclusion: When the patient and the control group were compared, it was found that NPA was seen at a higher rate in patients. However, when sickle cell patients were compared with clinical and laboratory data, no significant difference was observed in terms of NPA. Key words: Sickle Cell Disease, Neuropathic Pain, LANSS, DN-4, Pain Detect