The prevalence and cross-sectional associations of neuropathic-like pain among older, community-dwelling women with arthritis

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and examine the associations of neuropathic-like pain in a community-based sample of older Australian women with arthritis. Design: Population based cross-sectional survey. Setting: Participants were recruited from the 1946-1951 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women's Health. Subjects: Women with self-reported arthritis (n = 147). Methods: . Primary outcome measure was self-reported neuropathic-like pain, defined as scores ≥12 via the painDETECT screening tool. Descriptive statistics summarized health and socio-demographic characteristics, and comparisons made using student's t-test or Wilcoxon Rank Sum test, and Chi-square tests. Independent health and demographic variables were examined by univariable logistic regression, and significant variables included in multiple variable logistic regression modelling. Results: Thirty-nine women (26.5%) were screened as having neuropathic-like pain. Women with neuropathic-like pain were more likely to have poorer health, worse pain, higher pain catastrophizing, more fatigue, and more depression than women with nociceptive pain. Neuropathic-like pain was significantly associated with higher scores on the SF-MPQ sensory scale and pain catastrophizing scale, and with more medication use. Conclusions: Neuropathic-like pain in women with arthritis was common and is associated with greater disability and poorer quality of life.