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Prevalence, Causes, and Treatment of Neuropathic Pain in Dutch Nursing Home Residents: A Retrospective Chart Review
Author(s) -
Kollenburg Esther G. P.,
Lavrijsen Jan C. M.,
Verhagen Stans C.,
Zuidema Sytse U.,
Schalkwijk Annelies,
Vissers Kris C. P.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2012.04078.x
Subject(s) - medicine , neuropathic pain , diabetes mellitus , medical record , polyneuropathy , medical prescription , stroke (engine) , physical therapy , retrospective cohort study , rehabilitation , anesthesia , nursing , mechanical engineering , engineering , endocrinology
Objectives To identify the prevalence and causes of neuropathic pain in D utch nursing home residents; to establish the prevalence of painful and nonpainful diabetic polyneuropathy in a subsample of individuals with diabetes mellitus and central poststroke pain ( CPSP ) in a subsample of individuals who had a stroke; and to study the prescription of antineuropathic drugs. Design A descriptive, retrospective, cross‐sectional study conducted by analyzing medical records. Setting Data were collected in 12 D utch nursing homes. Participants The data were derived from the medical records of 497 residents of chronic long‐term stay and rehabilitation nursing home units. Measurements Four groups were defined: actual (at some time in the previous year) neuropathic pain ( ANP ), possible neuropathic pain ( PNP ), neuropathic pain in the past ( NPP ), and no signs of neuropathic pain ( N o NP ). Results The prevalence of ANP was 10.9% (95% confidence interval ( CI ) = 8.4–13.8%) and of PNP was 5.6% (95% CI = 3.9–7.9%). The most common causes were CPSP and phantom limb pain. In the subgroup with diabetes mellitus, 6.3% had nonpainful diabetic polyneuropathy, 0.7% had painful diabetic polyneuropathy, and 0.7% had possible painful diabetic polyneuropathy. In the poststroke subsample, 4.7% were identified as having CPSP , and 5.2% were identified as possibly having CPSP . Within the ANP group, 68.5% of the residents received antineuropathic drugs on the day the medical records were examined; 48.1% used anticonvulsants. Conclusion Dutch nursing home residents frequently experience neuropathic pain; therefore, neuropathic pain should receive more attention in frail elderly adults.