Marcus V B Santana1,2, Mauro T Bina3, Matheus G Paz3, Scheila N Santos3, Manoel J Teixeira4, Irina Raicher4, José V Martins5, Daniel C Araujo Andrade4, Abrahão F Baptista1. 1. Universidade Federal da Bahia, Faculdade de Medicina, Programa de Graduação em Medicina e Saúde, Salvador BA, Brasil. 2. Faculdade de Medicina Baiana e Saúde Pública, Salvador BA, Brasil. 3. Universidade Federal da Bahia, Faculdade de Medicina, Salvador BA, Brasil. 4. Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Neurologia, São Paulo SP, Brasil. 5. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto Deolindo Couto de Neurologia, Rio de Janeiro RJ, Brasil.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the pain profile of patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury. METHODS: We enrolled 65 patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury. The Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaire was used to classify pain and the SF-36 was used to evaluate quality of life. RESULTS: The patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury were predominantly young male victims of motorcycle accidents. Pain was present in 75.4% of the individuals and 79% presented with neuropathic pain, mostly located in the hands (30.41%). The use of auxiliary devices (p = 0.05) and marital status (p = 0.03) were both independent predictors of pain. Pain also impacted negatively on the quality of life (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pain is frequent in patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury. Despite the peripheral nervous system injury, nociceptive pain is not unusual. Pain evaluation, including validated instruments, is essential to guide optimal clinical management of patients with the condition.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the pain profile of patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury. METHODS: We enrolled 65 patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury. The Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaire was used to classify pain and the SF-36 was used to evaluate quality of life. RESULTS: The patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury were predominantly young male victims of motorcycle accidents. Pain was present in 75.4% of the individuals and 79% presented with neuropathic pain, mostly located in the hands (30.41%). The use of auxiliary devices (p = 0.05) and marital status (p = 0.03) were both independent predictors of pain. Pain also impacted negatively on the quality of life (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pain is frequent in patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury. Despite the peripheral nervous system injury, nociceptive pain is not unusual. Pain evaluation, including validated instruments, is essential to guide optimal clinical management of patients with the condition.