EPIDEMIOLOGY OF NEUROPATHIC CHRONIC PAIN IN ONCOLOGY PATIENTS

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pain Management
• Neurology

Background:

• Chronic neuropathic pain syndrome (CNPS) is a significant challenge in oncology care.
• Accurate diagnosis and effective management of CNPS are crucial for improving cancer patients' quality of life.
• Limited data exists on the prevalence and characteristics of CNPS in oncology patients in Kazakhstan.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the primary prevalence of CNPS in oncology patients in Karaganda, Kazakhstan.
• To analyze the structure and characteristics of neuropathic pain experienced by these patients.
• To assess the effectiveness of current analgesic therapy for CNPS in oncology patients.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study was conducted over 60 consecutive days.
• Inclusion criteria: patients with confirmed cancer admitted to the Karaganda regional oncologic dispensary.
• Data analysis involved statistical processing using the 6.0 «STATISTICA» program.

Main Results:

• CNPS was identified in 11.2±1.6% of oncology patients, with 66.7±7.3% having Stage III cancer.
• Pain characteristics included mild (52.4±7.7%), moderate (38.1±7.5%), and severe (9.5±4.5%) pain.
• Neuropathic symptoms comprised numbness (47.6±7.7%), tingling (38.1±7.5%), 'electric shock' sensations (14.3±5.4%), temperature changes (52.4±7.7%), and allodynia (28.6±7.0%).
• Standard pain treatment efficacy was low, achieving only 20% effectiveness in a quarter of patients.

Conclusions:

• Approximately 10% of oncology patients in Kazakhstan may suffer from CNPS, particularly those in clinical group II.
• CNPS in cancer patients requires selective differential diagnostics due to diagnostic challenges and low efficacy of standard treatments.
• Constant management of pain treatment regimens is essential due to treatment intolerance and progression, significantly impacting patients' quality of life.