Background/Aim. Chronic low back pain syndrome
(CLBPS) is the most common cause of functional disability and loss of working ability in developed countries.
Some research shows that neuropathic pain (NP) is present in almost 50% of patients with CLPBS. The aim of
this study was to determine the characteristics of NP and
its impact on quality of life (QoL) in patients with CLBPS.
Methods. Patients were tested using three questionnaires
for NP: Pain Detect Questionnaire, Leeds Assessment of
Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs, and Douleur Neuropathique 4 questions. Thirty-two patients diagnosed with
NP based on current clinical criteria and with positive results for NP on all three NP questionnaires formed an experimental group. A control group consisted of 32 patients
with CLBPS who did not fulfill clinical criteria for NP and
were negative for NP on all three questionnaires. Hamilton depression and anxiety rating scales (Ham-D and
Ham-A, respectively) and Short Form (SF)-36 questionnaire were also applied. Results. According to magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI), disc herniation was typically detected in the experimental group, while degenerative
changes were commonly found in the control group. Patients from the experimental group had significantly greater intensity of pain, pain radiation in the legs, and the pain
was usually presented as episodes of sudden attacks with
mild pain between them. The most distinctive features of
NP were allodynia, electric shock sensation, and hypoesthesia to prick. Patients from the experimental group also
had significantly higher depression and anxiety scores, as
well as worse QoL compared to the control group, especially in mental domains. Predictors of worse QoL in the
patients with CLBPS were a higher level of anxiety and
depression. Conclusion. The presence of allodynia, electric shock-like sensations, and hypoesthesia to prick in patients with CLBPS suggest NP. CLBPS patients with NP
had worse scores in mental domains of QoL compared to
CLPBS patients without NP.
