Intermediate stage complex regional pain syndrome type 1 is unrelated to proinflammatory cytokines.

The aim of this paper is to determine the involvement of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin (IL)-6 in intermediate CRPS 1 as locally formed mediators of inflammation. In this study, 25 patients with proven CRPS 1 (Bruehl criteria) were included. All patients participated in one of our earlier studies during the acute stage of their disease. After the disease developed into an intermediate stage, both the disease activity and the profile of inflammatory mediators were reevaluated. Disease activity and impairment were determined by means of a visual analogue scale, the McGill Pain Questionnaire, the difference in volume and temperature between the involved and uninvolved extremities, and the reduction in active range of motion of the involved extremity. Suction blisters were made on the involved and uninvolved extremities for measurement of IL-6 and TNF-alpha. A significant improvement in signs and symptoms of impairment was found. However, the levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in blister fluid in the involved extremity versus uninvolved extremity were still significantly raised. Although signs and symptoms are significantly improved, proinflammatory cytokines are still increased in CRPS 1 affected extremities during the intermediate stage of the disease. This indicates that the initiation and sustained development of the disease are only partially affected by proinflammatory cytokines. Follow-up in the chronic stage is necessary to draw more definite conclusions about the existence of a supposed relation between clinical signs and symptoms and the level of proinflammatory cytokines.

INTRODUCTION

The complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS 1) is a disease occurring in an extremity after an initiating noxious event, such as a Colles fracture or minor surgery, which is mainly characterised by spontaneous pain, allodynia, and hyperalgesia. Complex regional pain syndrome type 2 (CRPS 2) develops after a nerve injury. The symptoms in CRPS 1 are not limited to the region of a single peripheral nerve and are generally disproportional to the inciting event. There is (or has been) evidence of oedema, disturbed blood flow or abnormal sudomotor activity in the affected limb. CRPS 1 diagnosis is excluded by the existence of conditions that would otherwise account for the degree of pain and dysfunction. The pathophysiology of CRPS 1 remains unclear. Several studies suggest a peripheral afferent mechanism, others suggest a peripheral efferent mechanism, or central mechanisms including psychological mechanisms or combinations of more than one mechanism have been suggested. Evidence for inflammation was shown by Huygen et al; an increase in the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in blister fluid of the involved versus uninvolved extremity in the acute phase suggests a local inflammatory process [1].

The course of symptoms in CRPS has been poorly studied. Classic teaching is that patients afflicted with this disorder progress through three stages, but this is mainly based on clinical observation rather than scientific data [2]. In general, the disease is characterised in the acute stage by symptoms of regional inflammation, which are severe burning pain, muscle spasm, joint stiffness, restricted mobility, rapid hair and nail growth, and vasospasm that affect colour and temperature of the skin. The stage is also indicated as the “warm-” type CRPS 1, due to increased skin temperature as a result of local inflammation. In the chronic stage of the disease, changes in skin and bones become irreversible and pain spreads throughout the entire limb and a more neuropathy-like disorder develops. A possible explanation for this alteration during the disease is the development of sensitization or plasticity during the regional inflammation, which results in a neuropathic disorder. At that stage, blood flow and tissue-blood distribution are diminished, partly caused by disuse of the extremity, usually resulting in a decreased skin surface temperature, and therefore also indicated as the “cold-” type CRPS 1. In the intermediate stage of the disease (1-2 years after the initial event), inflammatory mediators, neuropathic substances, and vasoactive agents could play a prominent role. In general, at that stage of the disease, marked temperature elevations have been diminished or even normalised [3].

Veldman et al did not observe any temporal trend in prospective assessment of 829 patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), one of the formerly used indications to describe the disease [4]. Retrospective surveys completed by CRPS patients with an average pain duration of over 3 years similarly indicate that CRPS symptoms most often tend to remain stable or even improve, rather than progressively deteriorate [5].

Since a diminution of the clinical symptoms is to be expected in a certain time course, we hypothesized that local inflammation would only be present during the initial, acute stage of the disease, and therefore the formation of proinflammatory mediators (such as IL-6 and TNF-α) should be attenuated during the course of the disease. It is interesting to know whether this decline is correlated with an improvement in disease activity as measured by registration of pain, and by the measurement of differences in temperature, volume, and mobility of the joints between the involved and uninvolved extremities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients

The study was approved by the medical ethical committee of the Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam.

Between April 2001 and February 2004, 66 patients with CRPS 1 participated in several studies either to investigate the pathophysiology or the effects of specific treatment of CRPS 1 [1, 6, 7].

In retrospect, 6 of 66 patients proved to have CRPS 2. Fifty nine patients, who were not involved in any study for at least 6 months, were contacted by telephone and mail to fill in a short questionnaire about their disease; 49 questionnaires were returned. These latter patients were asked to participate in a follow-up measurement. For practical reasons, only patients with CRPS 1 of one upper extremity were selected (making artificial blisters in the skin of the lower extremity is not always as easy). Patients using corticosteroids and/or immunosuppresives after the first measurement (T0) were also excluded.

Finally, 25 patients with CRPS 1, at the time of the follow-up study all being in the so-called intermediate stage of the disease, agreed to participate. All the patients fulfiled the CRPS 1 criteria by Bruehl et al at the first measurement, performed shortly after the initial event which resulted in the development of the disease [8]. These modified diagnostic criteria include the report of at least one symptom in each of the following categories: (i) hyperesthesia, (ii) temperature asymmetry and/or skin colour changes and/or skin colour asymmetry, (iii) oedema and/or sweating changes and/or sweating asymmetry, and (iv) decreased range of motion and/or motor dysfunction (weakness, tremor, dystonia) and/or trophic changes (hair, nail, skin); and must display at least one sign in two or more of the following categories: (i) evidence of hyperalgesia (to pinprick) and/or allodynia (to light touch), (ii) evidence of temperature asymmetry and/or skin colour changes and/or skin colour asymmetry, (iii) evidence oedema and/or sweating changes and/or sweating asymmetry, and (iv) evidence of decreased range of motion and/or motor dysfunction (weakness, tremor, dystonia) and/or trophic changes (hair, nail, skin).

Signs and symptoms of impairment were assessed by registration of pain, and by the measurement of differences in temperature, volume, and mobility between the involved and uninvolved extremities. Blisters were made with a suction method in order to determine proinflammatory cytokines in the involved and uninvolved extremities.

Registration of pain

The intensity of pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) recorded in 0–100 millimetres and the McGill Pain Questionnaire, Dutch Language Version (MPQ-DLV). The MPQ-DLV score was measured by counting the total number of words chosen from 20 items [9].

Temperature

Skin temperature was measured with an infrared tympanic probe thermometer (First Temp Genius, Sherwood Medical, Crawley, Sussex, UK). Temperature was measured on the dorsal aspect of the hand in a matrix of 5 points. The difference in mean temperature between the involved and uninvolved extremities was calculated [1, 6, 7, 10, 11].

Oedema

Determination of the volume of the hands was assessed by a volumeter, which weighs the amount of water displaced by the immersion of a body part. The difference between the involved and uninvolved extremities was calculated as a percentage of the uninvolved extremity [12].

Mobility

Mobility was assessed by means of measurement of active range of motion (AROM). The AROM is defined as the arc of motion with muscle power to achieve the motion of a joint. In the upper extremity, the AROM was measured for the dorsal/palmar flexion in the wrist, for the flexion/extension in the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints of the two most restricted digits.

The position of the patients and the method of measurement were standardized for each joint, conforming to the American Society of Hand Therapists clinical assessment recommendations [13]. The AROM of the involved extremity was multiplied by 100 and divided by the AROM on the uninvolved extremity: this resulted in a percentage of normal mobility. The compounded percentage was then scored from 1 to 5, indicating a percentage of mobility: score 1≥95% normal mobility; 2 =94%–85%; 3 =84%–65%; 4 =64%–25%; and 5≤25% normal mobility. The sum of points was calculated which could range from 5 (normal mobility) to 25 (most abnormal mobility) [1, 6, 7, 10].

Blisters

Blisters were induced by means of a suction method [11]. A 3-well skin suction chamber was positioned on the skin of the upper extremity, on the dorsal side of the involved hand and the flexor side of the uninvolved forearm.

A vacuum of 300 mm Hg was applied with a Atmoforte 350A aspirator pump (ATMOS Medizintechnik, Lenzkirch, Germany), which was reduced after 15 minutes to 250 mm Hg and again, 15 minutes later, reduced to 200 mm Hg. This negative pressure was maintained for 2 to 2.5 hours. The developed blisters were punctured and produced approximately 150 μl blister fluid. All samples were stored at −80°C until analysis [1, 6, 7, 10, 11].

Laboratory assays

Blister samples were diluted 4-fold in appropriate calibrator diluent assay buffer for the direct measurement of cytokines. Cytokine assays were performed following the manufacturer's protocol (Pelikine Human ELISA Kits for IL-6 (M1906) and TNF-α (M1920), CLB, Amsterdam, the Netherlands). The standard curve ranges and mean calculated zero signal + 3 SD for IL-6 were 0–80 pg/mL and 0.3 pg/mL, respectively; and for TNF-α 0–1000 pg/mL and 1 pg/mL, respectively. The absorbance per well was measured at 450 nm with a Medgenix ELISA reader. Sample concentrations were calculated using the appropriate standard calibration lines and the Softmax software of the reader.

Statistical analysis

Because of a nonlinear distribution, the data of cytokine contents in blister fluids were described as median and interquartile ranges. Comparison of paired samples was performed with the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test. Significance was accepted with a p < 0.05(two-sided).

RESULTS

A group of 25 patients with an intermediate duration of CRPS 1 (median 30 months, interquartile range 23–40 months) in one extremity were examined in the follow-up of their CRPS; patient characteristics and participation in previous studies are presented in Table 1.

Table 1

Demographic data. Data are presented as median ± interquartile range. Two patients participated in 2 studies. References: literature on reported effects in CRPS 1.

Patient characteristics	Number
Sex (male/female)	6/19
Age at follow-up (years)	54 (49.5–57.5)
Duration of CRPS 1 (months) at first measurement	6 (2–12)
Duration of CRPS 1 (months) at follow-up	30 (23–40)
Fracture/trauma/surgery/spontaneous	10/8/6/1
Treatment during the course of the disease (T0-Tf)	12 patients with no specific treatment/physiotherapy [13]
	4 patients with DMSO [14, 15]
	5 patients with capsaicin [16]
	1 patient with anti-TNF [7]
	5 patients with acupuncture [17]

The signs and symptoms of impairment are described in terms of pain and differences in temperature, volume, and mobility between the involved and uninvolved extremities during the first (T0) and follow-up (Tf) measurement. Difference in volume, AROM, VAS, and McGill Pain Questionnaire show a significant decrease at Tf compared to T0 (Wilcoxon signed-ranks test, p < 0.05). Despite a tendency to decrease, the temperature difference between the involved and uninvolved extremities during the first (T0) and follow-up (Tf) measurement is not significant. Data on these parameters are given in Table 2.

Table 2

Signs and symptoms of impairment in the study population at first measurement (T0) and follow-up measurement (Tf). Data are presented as median ± interquartile range.

N = 25	T0	Tf
Difference in temperature between involved and uninvolved sides	0.2	0.04
(delta T: in °C)	(−0.36 to +0.75)	(−0.57 to +0.34)
Difference in volume between involved and uninvolved sides	12	−13
(delta V: in % volume uninvolved extremity)	(−7 to +27.5)	(−40.5 to +37)*
Active range of motion	17	10
(AROM: sum of numbers which express percentage of normal mobility, extremity: 5–25: normal mobility–most abnormal)	(11 to 19.5)	(8 to 13)*
McGill Pain Questionnaire	11	4
(MPQ: number of counted words that describe pain)	(9 to 14)	(2 to 8.75)*
Pain by means of visual analogue scale	60	40
(VAS: 0–100 mm: no pain–most pain)	(46 to 72)	(7.5 to 65.5)*

*Wilcoxon signed-rank sum test p < 0.05

This study showed a significant elevation of IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the involved extremity compared with the uninvolved extremity in patients with intermediate CRPS 1 at follow-up as was found in the first measurement (Wilcoxon signed-ranks test, p < 0.05) [1, 6, 7]. There is no significant difference in IL-6 and TNF-α levels in both involved and uninvolved extremities between T0 and Tf. These data are presented in Table 3 and in Figure 1a (IL-6) and Figure 1b (TNF-α).

Table 3

Data on IL-6 and TNF-α levels in blister fluid in the involved and uninvolved extremities at first measurement (T0) and follow-up measurement (Tf). Data are presented as median ± interquartile range.

N = 25	T0		Tf
	Uninvolved	Involved	Uninvolved	Involved
IL-6 (pg/mL)	3 (1.7–18.5)	41 (7.5–98)*	2.1 (1.2–4.9)	24.3 (3.5–165.6)*
TNF-α (pg/mL)	5.9 (3.1–32.5)	26 (12–85)*	7.8 (5.1–16.7)	31.6 (7.7–90.4)*

*Wilcoxon signed-rank sum test p < 0.05.

Figure 1

Individually plotted values of TNF-α (logarithmic scale) in involved (closed symbols) and uninvolved sides (open symbols) of all CRPS 1 patients, (a) at first measurement (T0) and (b) at follow-up measurement (Tf). Note that on T0 (acute stage), 19 patients displayed an increased value in the involved versus the uninvolved extremity, whereas on Tf (intermediate stage), still 16 patients displayed an increased value.

Three patients considered themselves to be cured of CRPS 1. These are patients 3, 10, and 24 in Figures 1a and 1b. Patient 3 showed a slight decrease in strength. Patient 10, though considering herself as cured, still had signs of fibrosis and contracture in the palm of the hand. Light touch was unpleasant.

Patient 24 had only some minor hypesthesia of the affected extremity. Nine patients experienced no change in CRPS and one patient had an increase in symptoms. Twelve patients reported a decrease of the symptoms.

At physical examination, there was a general improvement of physical signs of CRPS 1 in all 25 patients.

Most patients could be considered as cured with variable light to moderate signs of contracture and weakness. Only patient 25 had severe allodynia and functional loss combined with a decrease in temperature of the involved hand.

DISCUSSION

The involvement of the immunologic system in CRPS is still a matter of debate. Treatment with radical scavengers such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), which in some cases proved to be beneficial, suggested the contribution of an initially occurring inflammatory reaction [14, 18]. Our research group found evidence of the involvement of the immunologic system by the presence of proinflammatory cytokines in blister fluid collected in patients with (sub-)acute CRPS 1 [1]. This may cause activation and sensitization of primary afferents and, by this mechanism, neuropeptide release in the affected body region (mainly, substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)), thereby resulting in a neurogenic inflammation [19].

In intermediate and long-term CRPS 1 patients, there is no indication of the involvement of these immunologic indices reflected in blood samples [20, 21]. In general, the sequence of (inflammatory) mediators released during the subsequent processes will result in a cascade of distinguishing substances which might influence each other's production. The sequential production of neuropeptides, cytokines, chemokines, eicosanoids, nitric oxide, and other vasoactive substances is dependent on cells involved at certain time intervals of the ongoing process and crosstalk between migrated cells [3, 18]. So far, limited information is available concerning representative parameters reflecting consecutive stages of this disease. Although in general a warm CRPS 1 is observed during the initial stage of the disease, not all patients turn into cold CRPS 1 from the intermediate to the chronic stage of the disease. Assuming that skin surface temperature not only reflects tissue-blood distribution but also local inflammation, based on videothermographic measurements of the CRPS1 extremity (3), after the initial inflammatory event, a diminished amount of (inflammatory) mediators present in the interstitial fluid would have been expected during the intermediate stage of the disease.

During this stage of the disease, some signs and symptoms, such as volume of the extremity, AROM, McGill Pain Questionnaire, and VAS pain are significantly improved (Table 2), suggesting a spontaneous or treatment-initiated recurrence of the disease severity. Although a slight decline of proinflammatory cytokines is observed, these mediators are still increased in CRPS 1 affected extremities (Table 3, Figures 1 and 2). This indicates that the initiation and sustained development of the disease is at least partially affected by proinflammatory cytokines. Differences in mean temperature during the first measurement and the follow-up measurement were not significantly decreased. Furthermore, characteristic indicators of skin surface temperature were not directly related to blister fluid levels of the cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. This suggests a complex mechanism in which a number of cells and mediators play a role. At this stage, the most prominent cell source to generate these cytokines could be monocytes, tissue macrophages, and mast cells [6]. Although the cell counts will not dramatically change during this stage of the disease, both the activation and the cell-cell interaction could have changed, due to fluctuating levels of neuropeptides. On the other hand, long-term disuse or immobility will certainly affect the accumulation of peptides secreted by the nerves, which could contribute to allodynia and hyperalgesia, but also vasomotor, sudomotor, and motor/trophic signs and symptoms.

Figure 2

Individually plotted values of IL-6 (logarithmic scale) in involved (closed symbols) and uninvolved sides (open symbols) of all CRPS 1 patients, (a) at first measurement (T0) and (b) at follow-up measurement (Tf). Note that on T0 (acute stage), 23 patients displayed an increased value in the involved versus the uninvolved extremity, whereas on Tf (intermediate stage), still 18 patients displayed an increased value.

In our results, both the ranges of data found and the abnormal distribution of cytokine levels in involved and involved extremities are remarkable (Figures 1 and 2). Although all patients were accurately included according to the criteria of by Bruehl et al [8], we cannot entirely exclude contamination of our study population. Inclusion of subpopulations which fulfil the main criteria could also influence the outcome of the results [22, 23].

A further follow-up of our selected CRPS 1 patients from the intermediate stage into the chronic stage (greater than 4 years) is therefore needed to draw more definite conclusions about the existence of a supposed relation between clinical signs and symptoms and local levels of proinflammatory cytokines in interstitial fluid. Furthermore, an extension of the tested pallet of cytokines should be considered in order to unravel the contribution of specific cytokines (pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, Th1/Th2 cell-derived cytokines, chemokines) during the whole course of the disease. More insight in the time-related contribution of specific cytokines will enable the selective use of immunosuppressives [7, 18] or the specific development of disease-modifying agents.