Refine
Year of publication
Document Type
- Article (17)
- Conference Proceeding (16)
- Other (3)
- Part of a Book (1)
Keywords
- Cervical radiculopathy (1)
- Classification (1)
- Engpass-Syndrome (1)
- Karpaltunnelsyndrom (1)
- Neck-arm pain (1)
- Nervenkompressionssyndrome (1)
- Radikulopathie (1)
- Radikulärer Schmerz (1)
- Screening-Instrumente für neuropathische Schmerzen (1)
- Somatosensory dysfunction (1)
- acute care (1)
- back care (1)
- diagnostisches Stufenschema (1)
- grading system (1)
- inter-therapist agreement (1)
- low back pain (1)
- neuropathic pain (1)
- neuropathischer Schmerz (1)
- quantitative sensory testing (1)
- screening questionnaires (1)
- validation (1)
Institute
- Fakultät WiSo (37)
Background: The painDETECT questionnaire (PD-Q) has been used as a tool to characterize sensory abnormalities in patients with persistent pain. This study investigated whether the self-reported sensory descriptors of patients with painful cervical radiculopathy (CxRAD) and patients with fibromyalgia (FM), as characterized by responses to verbal sensory descriptors from PD-Q (sensitivity to light touch, cold, heat, slight pressure, feeling of numbness in the main area of pain), were associated with the corresponding sensory parameters as demonstrated by quantitative sensory testing (QST).
Methods: Twenty-three patients with CxRAD (eight women, 46.3 ± 9.6 years) and 22 patients with FM (20 women, 46.1 ± 11.5 years) completed the PD-Q. Standardized QST of dynamic mechanical allodynia, cold and heat pain thresholds, pressure pain thresholds, mechanical and vibration detection thresholds, was recorded from the maximal pain area. Comparative QST data from 31 age-matched healthy controls (HCs; 15 women) were obtained.
Results: Patients with CxRAD demonstrated a match between their self-reported descriptors and QST parameters for all sensory parameters except for sensitivity to light touch, and these matches were statistically significant compared with HC data (p ≤ 0.006). The FM group demonstrated discrepancies between the PD-Q and QST sensory phenotypes for all sensory descriptors, indicating that the self-reported sensory descriptors did not consistently match the QST parameters (p = ≤0.017).
Conclusion: Clinicians and researchers should be cautious about relying on PD-Q as a stand-alone screening tool to determine sensory abnormalities in patients with FM.
Identification of differences in clinical presentation and underlying pain mechanisms may assist the classification of patients with neck–arm pain which is important for the provision of targeted best evidence based management. The aim of this study was to: (i) assess the inter-examiner agreement in using specific systems to classify patients with cervical radiculopathy and patients with non-specific neck–arm pain associated with heightened nerve mechanosensitivity (NSNAP); (ii) assess the agreement between two clinical examiners and two clinical experts in classifying these patients, and (iii) assess the diagnostic accuracy of the two clinical examiners. Forty patients with unilateral neck–arm pain were examined by two clinicians and classified into (i) cervical radiculopathy, (ii) NSNAP, (iii) other. The classifications were compared to those made independently by two experts, based on a review of patients' clinical assessment notes. The experts' opinion was used as the reference criterion to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the clinical examiners in classifying each patient group. There was an 80% agreement between clinical examiners, and between experts and 70%–80% between clinical examiners and experts in classifying patients with cervical radiculopathy (kappa between 0.41 and 0.61). Agreement was 72.5%–80% in classifying patients with NSNAP (kappa between 0.43 and 0.52). Clinical examiners' diagnostic accuracy was high (radiculopathy: sensitivity 79%–84%; specificity 76%–81%; NSNAP: sensitivity 78%–100%; specificity 71%–81%). Compared to expert opinion, clinicians were able to identify patients with cervical radiculopathy and patients with NSNAP in 80% of cases, our data supporting the reliability of these classification systems.
Neuropathischer Schmerz
(2014)
Neuropathische Schmerzen entstehen durch eine Läsion oder Erkrankung des somatosensorischen Nervensystems. Davon sind ca. 7 – 8 % der Normalbevölkerung betroffen. Patienten mit neuropathischen Schmerzen leiden unter erheblichen Einschränkungen ihrer Lebensqualität und die daraus resultierenden staatlichen Gesundheitskosten sind extrem hoch.
Die frühe Identifikation vorhandener neuropathischer Schmerzen ist ausschlaggebend für eine gezielte Schmerztherapie und Vorbeugung einer Chronifizierung des Krankheitszustandes. Das klinische Bild ist vielfältig, und die Diagnostik kann in der klinischen Praxis eine Herausforderung darstellen.
Der Schwerpunkt dieses Artikels liegt in der Untersuchung und Diagnosestellung neuropathischer Schmerzen.
Hintergrund: In Deutschland gibt es in der physiotherapeutischen Praxis bisher lediglich 2 Fragebögen, die ellenbogenspezifische Beschwerden aus
der Patientenperspektive erfassen und einen therapeutischen Erfolg messen.
Ziel: Das Ziel dieser Studie war daher die Übersetzung des englischen „Oxford Elbow Score“ (OES)
ins Deutsche.
Methode: Der OES wurde anhand von 2 Leitlinien
zur kulturellen Adaption ins Deutsche übersetzt.
Es wurden 2 unabhängige Vorwärtsübersetzungen
erstellt und miteinander verglichen. Anschließend
erfolgten 2 unabhängige Rückwärtsübersetzungen,
gefolgt von einem Review. Der daraus resultierende
Fragebogen wurde in 2 Testphasen mit jeweils 5
Probanden qualitativ auf seine Verständlichkeit
und kulturelle Stimmigkeit überprüft.
Ergebnisse: Der OES wurde in die deutsche Version
der „Oxford Ellenbogen Bewertung“ (OEB) übersetzt und adaptiert. Nach der 1. Pilotphase wurden
kleinere Änderungen am Fragebogen vorgenommen. Die Überprüfung in der 2. Testphase machte
weitere Änderungen überflüssig.
Schlussfolgerung: Eine autorisierte Version des OES
konnte erfolgreich ins Deutsche übersetzt werden.
Deren Gütekriterien werden in einer nachfolgenden Studie untersucht.
Differentiating nociceptive and neuropathic components of clinical pain presentations matters!
(2016)
Characterisation of pain in people with hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy
(2017)
Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy (HNPP) has historically been considered a pain-free condition, though some people with HNPP also complain of pain. This study characterised persistent pain in people with HNPP. Participants provided cross-sectional demographic data, information on the presence of neurological and persistent pain symptoms, and the degree to which these interfered with daily life. The painDETECT and Central Sensitization Inventory questionnaires were used to indicate potential neuropathic, central sensitisation and musculoskeletal (nociceptive) pain mechanisms. Additionally, participants were asked if they thought that pain was related to/part of HNPP. 32/43 (74%) subjects with HNPP had persistent pain and experience this pain in the last week. Of those with pain, 24 (75%) were likely to have neuropathic pain and 27 (84%) were likely to have central sensitisation. All 32 participants felt that their pain could be related to/part of their HNPP. Significant negative impact of the pain was common. Pain characterisation identified neuropathic pain and/or central sensitisation as common, potential underlying processes. Pain may plausibly be directly related to the underlying pathophysiology of HNPP. Further consideration of including pain as a primary symptom of HNPP is warranted.
Objectives
The aims of the present study were to provide back pain (BP) point prevalence data from inpatients at an Australian tertiary hospital on one day, and compare this with Australian non-hospitalized population prevalence data; to collect data around the development of BP throughout hospital admission; and to analyse the association between BP and past history of BP, gender, age, admission specialty and hospital length of stay (LOS).
Methods
This was a single-site, prospective, observational study of hospitalized inpatients on one day during 2016, with a subsequent survey over the following 11 days (unless discharge or death occurred sooner).
Results
Data were collected from 343 patients (75% of the hospitalized cohort). A third of patients (n = 108) reported BP on admission, and almost a fifth (n = 63) developed new BP during their hospitalization. Patients who described BP at any time during their hospital stay had a higher chance of having had a history of BP, with odds increasing after adjustment for age and gender (odds ratio 5.89; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.0 to 11.6; p < 0.001). After adjusting for age and gender, those experiencing BP had a significantly longer LOS (median 13 days; CI 10.8 to 15.3) than those who did not (median 10 days; CI 8.4 to 11.6; p = 0.034).
Conclusions
Hospital LOS for patients who complained of BP at any time during their admission was 3 days longer than those who had no BP, and a history of BP predicted a higher likelihood of BP during admission. Screening of patients on admission to identify any history of BP, and application of a package of care including early mobilization and analgesia may prevent the onset of BP and reduce LOS.
Entrapment neuropathies are the most prevalent type of peripheral neuropathy and often a challenge to diagnose and treat. To a large extent, our current knowledge is based on empirical concepts and early (often biomechanical) studies. This Viewpoint will challenge some of the current beliefs with recent advances in both basic and clinical neurosciences.
Neurotension – Gestern und Heute. Wie ist der momentane Kenntnisstand, und wie setze ich ihn um?
(2018)
Background and aims
In 2008, the International Association for the Study of Pain Special Interest Group on Neuropathic Pain (NeuPSIG) proposed a clinical grading system to help identify patients with neuropathic pain (NeP). We previously applied this classification system, along with two NeP screening tools, the painDETECT (PD-Q) and Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs pain scale (LANSS), to identify NeP in patients with neck/upper limb pain. Both screening tools failed to identify a large proportion of patients with clinically classified NeP, however a limitation of our study was the use of a single clinician performing the NeP classification. In 2016, the NeuPSIG grading system was updated with the aim of improving its clinical utility. We were interested in field testing of the revised grading system, in particular in the application of the grading system and the agreement of interpretation of clinical findings. The primary aim of the current study was to explore the application of the NeuPSIG revised grading system based on patient records and to establish the inter-rater agreement of detecting NeP. A secondary aim was to investigate the level of agreement in detecting NeP between the revised NeuPSIG grading system and the LANSS and PD-Q.
Methods
In this retrospective study, two expert clinicians (Specialist Pain Medicine Physician and Advanced Scope Physiotherapist) independently reviewed 152 patient case notes and classified them according to the revised grading system. The consensus of the expert clinicians’ clinical classification was used as “gold standard” to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the two NeP screening tools.
Results
The two clinicians agreed in classifying 117 out of 152 patients (ICC 0.794, 95% CI 0.716–850; κ 0.62, 95% CI 0.50–0.73), yielding a 77% agreement. Compared to the clinicians’ consensus, both LANSS and PD-Q demonstrated limited diagnostic accuracy in detecting NeP (LANSS sensitivity 24%, specificity 97%; PD-Q sensitivity 53%, specificity 67%).
Conclusions
The application of the revised NeP grading system was feasible in our retrospective analysis of patients with neck/upper limb pain. High inter-rater percentage agreement was demonstrated. The hierarchical order of classification may lead to false negative classification. We propose that in the absence of sensory changes or diagnostic tests in patients with neck/upper limb pain, classification of NeP may be further improved using a cluster of clinical findings that confirm a relevant nerve lesion/disease, such as reflex and motor changes. The diagnostic accuracy of LANSS and PD-Q in identifying NeP in patients with neck/upper limb pain remains limited. Clinical judgment remains crucial to diagnosing NeP in the clinical practice.
Implications
Our observations suggest that in view of the heterogeneity in patients with neck/upper limb pain, a considerable amount of expertise is required to interpret the revised grading system. While the application was feasible in our clinical setting, it is unclear if this will be feasible to apply in primary health care settings where early recognition and timely intervention is often most needed. The use of LANSS and PD-Q in the identification of NeP in patients with neck/upper limb pain remains questionable.
Despite normal neurological bedside and electrodiagnostic, some patients with non-specific neck arm pain (NSNAP) have heightened nerve mechanosensitivity upon neurodynamic testing [1, 2]. It remains however unclear whether this is associated with a minor nerve injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential differences in somatosensory function among patients with unilateral NSNAP with and without positive neurodynamic tests and healthy controls.
Quantitative sensory testing was performed in 40 patients with unilateral NSNAP; 23 with positive upper limb neurodynamic tests (ULNTPOS) and 17 with negative neurodynamic tests (ULNTNEG). The protocol comprised thermal and mechanical detection and pain thresholds as well as mechanical pain sensitivity, wind-up ratio and dynamic mechanical allodynia. All parameters were measured in the maximal pain area on the affected side as well as over the corresponding area on the unaffected side. Symptom severity, functional deficits, psychological parameters, quality of life and sleep disturbance were also recorded.
Fifty-seven percent of patients with NSNAP had positive neurodynamic tests despite normal bedside neurological integrity tests and nerve conduction parameters. Clinical profiles did not differ between patient groups. Somatosensory profiling revealed a more pronounced loss of function phenotype in ULNTPOS patients compared to healthy controls. Hyperalgesia (cold, heat and pressure pain) was present bilaterally in both NSNAP group. The ULNTNEG subgroup represented an intermediate phenotype between ULNTPOS patients and healthy controls in both thermal and pressure pain thresholds as well as mechanical detection thresholds.
In conclusion, heightened nerve mechanosensitivity was present in over half of patients with NSNAP. Our data suggest that NSNAP presents as a spectrum with some patients showing signs suggestive of a minor nerve dysfunction.
[1] Elvey RL. Physical evaluation of the peripheral nervous system in disorders of pain and dysfunction. J Hand Ther 1997;10:122-129.
[2] van der Heide B, Bourgoin C, Eils G, Garnevall B, Blackmore M. Test-retest reliability and face validity of a modified neural tissue provocation test in patients with cervicobrachial pain syndrome. J Man Manip Ther 2006;14:30-36.
Relationship of QST measures between low back and leg sites in people with radicular leg pain
(2019)
Background and Aims
Clinicians and researchers often rely on altered neurological integrity tests in the leg to identify radicular pain, however neurological integrity is often not tested in the low back region even in the presence of pain in this region. There have been suggestions that the low back pain itself could be neuropathic in nature in some patients (Baron et al., 2016). This study aims to explore the relationship between quantitative sensory testing (QST) measures in the leg and low back in participants with radicular leg pain to consider if sensory testing should be performed in both areas in clinical practice.
Methods
13 participants (mean age 48.2 SD 13.8, gender (female) 8) with radicular leg pain were recruited from National Health Service spinal clinics in the UK. After assessment with the clinician, a full QST profile was taken from each participant’s affected leg and low back. Z scores were calculated using data from age matched healthy controls. Correlations using Pearson’s if the data was normally distributed or Kendall’s Tau-b if not, were undertaken between QST scores of the low back and leg. Paired t tests or Mann Whitney tests were performed to assess differences in QST scores between the leg and low back regions.
Results
There were no significant correlations (P>0.05) in any of the QST measures between the leg and the low back regions. However, only vibration detection threshold measures showed statistically significant differences between the leg and low back (p<0.001), with the low back region showing greater loss of function (mean -2.84) than the leg (mean -0.61).
Conclusions
Significantly lower vibration thresholds were found in the back compared to the leg. This may suggest some alteration in posterior primary ramus large diameter afferent nerve function, and indicate that the low back pain itself may indeed have a neuropathic component. Our findings suggest that sensory testing of the lumbar spine may be advisable in this group of individuals. The small sample size means that these results must be taken with some caution, however these results warrant further investigation in people with radicular leg pain.
Background:
The evaluation of somatosensory dysfunction is important for diagnostics and may also have implications for prognosis and management. The current standard to evaluate somatosensory dysfunction is quantitative sensory testing (QST), which is expensive and time consuming. This study describes a low-cost and time-efficient clinical sensory test battery (CST), and evaluates its concurrent validity compared to QST.
Method: Three patient cohorts with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS, n=86), non-specific neck and arm pain (NSNAP, n=40) and lumbar radicular pain/radiculopathy (LR n=26) were included. The CST consisted of 13 tests, each corresponding to a QST parameter and evaluating a broad spectrum of sensory functions using mechanical and thermal detection and pain thresholds and testing both loss and gain of function. Agreement rate, significance and strength of correlation between CST and QST were calculated.
Results: Several CST parameters (cold and warm detection, cold pain, mechanical detection, mechanical pain for loss of function, pressure pain) were significantly correlated with QST, with a majority demonstrating >60% agreement rates and weak to relatively strong correlations. However, agreement varied among cohorts. Gain of function parameters showed stronger correlation in the CTS and NSNAP cohort, whereas loss of function parameters performed better in the LR cohort. Other CST parameters (vibration detection, heat pain, mechanical pain for gain of function, windup ratio) did not significantly correlate with QST.
Conclusion: Some, but not all tests in the CST battery can detect somatosensory dysfunction as determined with QST. The CST battery may perform better when the somatosensory phenotype is more pronounced.