The relationship between the neuropathic component of chronic pain syndrome and the frequency and risk of falls in patients over 60 years of age

Abstract

We included 300 patients in the study. The neuropathic component of chronic pain syndrome was detected in one third of patients. Falls were detected in 73 patients (76.8 %) with clinical patterns of neuropathy, and in 99 patients (46.8 %) without them (p = 0.034). In the group of patients with neuropathic pain, a high risk of falls according to the fall risk self-assessment scale and 2 or more falls in the previous year were more common (p = 0.009 and p = 0.006, respectively) than in the comparison group. Thus, the presence of neuropathy in a patient with chronic pain syndrome is associated with a higher frequency and risk of falls.

BACKGROUND. Elderly patients are characterized by the persistence of chronic pain syndrome for decades, which leads to the appearance of neuropathic pain, which has a prevalence of 10 to 52 %. It is worth noting that there is insufficient data in the literature on the relationship of the neuropathic component of chronic pain syndrome with the frequency and risk of falls. While we assume that there is a relationship between them due to impaired nerve conduction, which leads to a decrease in all types of sensitivity.