Neuropathic Pain Component in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis and the Relationship of Neuropathic Pain and Disease Activity Parameters: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: It is known that neuropathic pain frequently accompanies rheumatological diseases. In this study, neuropathic pain in Ankylosing Spondylitis(AS) and its relationship with disease activity were investigated.
Methods: Forty patients with AS were included. Laboratory data and disease status parameters were recorded. Neuropathic pain questionnaires were administered. Electrophysiological examination was performed on all patients. The relationship between neuropathic pain and disease activity parameters was investigated.
Results: According to the Pain Detect and LANSS questionnaire results, the rate of neuropathic pain was 57.5% and 42.5%. ASQoL, BASDAI, and ASDAS-ESH parameters are statistically significantly higher in the group with neuropathic pain according to the PainDetect (p:0.018, p:0.04, p:0.028). MASES, ASQoL, BASDAI, BASFI, and ASDAS-ESH parameters are statistically significantly higher in the group with neuropathic pain according to the LANSS (p:0.004, p:0.005, p: 0.001, p:0.005, p:0.02). Disease activity is higher in patients with neuropathic pain for both scales. Peripheral neuropathy is detected in nine patients. There is a positive correlation between disease activity parameters and neuropathic pain scales. A strong positive correlation was detected between ASQoL and BASDAI parameters and the Pain Detect questionnaire (r:0.533, r:0.606).
Conclusions: The majority of patients with AS have a neuropathic pain. This condition is associated with high disease activity and adversely affects the patient's quality of life.
Competing Interests: The authors have no conflict of interest.