A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study on neuropathic pain in patients with cancer in Japan

Some patients with cancer experience cancer-related neuropathic pain. This study investigated the prevalence of possible neuropathic pain in patients with cancer.

This observational, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study recruited adult participants with stage ≥II cancer in Japan between June and November 2024. The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants with suspected neuropathic pain (Self-Reported Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs pain scale [S-LANSS] score ≥ 12 points). Secondary endpoints included pain scores (11-point numeric rating scale [NRS]), communication with healthcare professionals, impact on daily activities, and quality of life (QoL) per the EQ-5D-5L.

Responses from 713 participants were analyzed. Of those, 230 participants (32.3%) reported cancer-related pain and 53 (7.4%) had suspected neuropathic pain. Among participants with suspected neuropathic pain, the mean ± standard deviation (SD) pain intensity (NRS) was 5.1 ± 2.7. Over one-third of participants (37.7% [20/53]) with suspected neuropathic pain reported that no healthcare provider had asked about cancer pain before they sought a consultation, 60.4% (32/53) wished their healthcare provider had noticed their pain sooner, 69.8% (37/53) could no longer perform some daily activities due to cancer pain, and 98.1% (52/53) thought their pain needed to be adequately treated for them to live their life going forward. QoL was lower among participants with suspected neuropathic pain versus the overall population (EQ-5D-L mean ± SD: 0.6065 ± 0.2518 vs 0.8204 ± 0.1788).

These findings suggest that pain assessment earlier in the cancer treatment process than standard may improve pain management for patients with cancer.