Prevalence of neuropathic pain among patients suffering from chronic low back pain in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of neuropathic pain among patients suffering from chronic low back pain using the Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs (LANSS) pain scale.

METHODS: This was a pilot study collected from 10 centers in the Middle East Region, with each center enrolling 10 patients between November 2004 and January 2004. In total, 100 patients with chronic low back pain were included in the study. The LANSS clinical assessment score was used to assess the presence of neuropathic pain. Patients with score >/=12 were considered to have neuropathic pain, while patients with score a less than 12 were considered as having nociceptive pain.

RESULTS: We found that 41% of the chronic low back pain patients had neuropathic pain and 59% had nociceptive pain.

CONCLUSION: The ability to identify neuropathic pain mechanisms should lead to individualized treatment resulting in improved pain control in this group of patients with chronic low back pain.