ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2018
Diagnosis and impact of neuropathic pain in leprosy patients in Nepal after completion of multidrug therapy.
Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.
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Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed, 52 citations in OpenAlex.
- Dovramilast for Erythema Nodosum Leprosum in Patients With Leprosy in Nepal: Protocol for a Phase 2 Open-Label Pilot Study.JMIR research protocols · 2026Article
- The efficacy of a whole foods, plant-based dietary lifestyle intervention for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain in leprosy: a randomized control trial protocol.Frontiers in nutrition · 2023Article
- Chronic pain and infection: mechanisms, causes, conditions, treatments, and controversies.BMJ medicine · 2022Review
- Perception of cure among leprosy patients post completion of multi-drug therapy.BMC infectious diseases · 2021Article
- Assessment of neuropathic pain in leprosy patients with relapse or treatment failure by infrared thermography: A cross-sectional study.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2021Article
- Clinical prediction rules for the diagnosis of neuritis in leprosy.BMC infectious diseases · 2021Article
- Exploring the Promise of Flavonoids to Combat Neuropathic Pain: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Implications.Frontiers in neuroscience · 2020Review
- A review of nutrition in neuropathic pain of leprosy.Therapeutic advances in infectious diseaseReview
- Article
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Authors and funding
9 authors at 3 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesNeuropathic pain (NP) can occur as a chronic complication of leprosy neuropathy. NP epidemiology and its impact on patients have not been well documented. This study investigates NP prevalence and impact in the years after patients are declared "released from treatment" (RFT) following multidrug therapy (MDT) completion.
methodsIn this cross-sectional study, 85 RFT patients were recruited within leprosy referral services in Nepal. The Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questionnaire (DN4) was used to screen for NP. Pain severity, impacts on patients' daily activities and mental health were measured by using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Screening of Activity Limitation and Safety Awareness (SALSA), and General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) respectively.
results96% surveyed had been treated for multibacillary leprosy. 44 (52%) complained of pain of which 30 (68%) were diagnosed with NP. NP was not associated with age, gender, or presence of skin lesions or nerve symptoms at leprosy diagnosis. 70% of patients with NP had either history of or ongoing reactions and 47% had grade 2 disability. Nerve tenderness (p = 0.023) and current reactions (p = 0.018) were significant risk factors for NP. Patients with NP suffered significantly higher intensity pain (p = 0.023) and daily life interference (p = 0.003) and were more likely to have moderate to extreme daily activity limitations (p = 0.005). 13 (43%) exhibited psychological distress, and medications only reduced moderate degree (50-60%) of pain.
conclusionsIn our study, 35% of RFT patients had ongoing NP. Risk factors include nerve tenderness and reaction. They suffer from more daily life interference and psychological distress. Leprosy patient care should include recognition and management of NP.
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