Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of neuropathic pain in pregnant women and to state its influence on the functional status and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in terms of physical, social, and emotional functioning.
Methods: A total of 90 pregnant women with lumbopelvic pain (LPP) and non-pregnant and healthy controls were included. The presence of neuropathic pain was determined using the Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs (LANNS) questionnaire. The HRQoL was assessed using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), and the functional status was evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The severity of pain was measured using a visual analog scale.
Results: The LANNS score was ≥12 in 34 pregnant women (37.8%). The prevalence of neuropathic pain was higher in pregnant women with LPP (odds ratio=6.22; 95% confidence interval=2.68-14.44) (p<0.001) than in controls. The LANNS score was found to be correlated with the physical mobility subgroup in the NHP at high levels (p=0.002, r=0.32) and with the ODI and pain subgroup in the NHP at moderate levels (p=0.013, r=0.26 and p=0.038, r=0.22, respectively).
Conclusion: The present study is the first to demonstrate that neuropathic pain is associated with pregnancy-related LPP and strongly correlated with functional impairment and deterioration in the HRQoL. A better understanding of neuropathic pain mechanisms in pregnancy-related LPP will help us find more effective treatment strategies.
Keywords: Functional status; health-related quality of life; low back pain; neuropathic pain; pregnancy.