Neuropathic Pain, Polyneuropathy, and Quality of Life in Patients Receiving Dialysis

BACKGROUND Neuropathic pain and polyneuropathy can affect the quality of life in patients receiving dialysis. The aim of this study was to assess quality of life and to compare electromyography (EMG) findings between patients screened positive and negative for neuropathic pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study was designed as an observational cross-sectional study in which 74 patients receiving hemodialysis were admitted. The Ferrans & Powers Quality of Life Index-Dialysis III Version, Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire (NPQ), and Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form were completed by all patients. Additionally, EMG was performed on all patients regardless of the presence of neuropathic symptoms. RESULTS According to the NPQ screening results, 51.4% of patients were identified as likely having neuropathic pain, whereas EMG findings revealed polyneuropathy in 89.2% (66 patients). Ferrans & Powers Quality of Life Index total and subgroup scores were compared between the NPQ-positive and NPQ-negative groups based on the screening results. Quality of life was found to be statistically significantly lower in the NPQ-positive group across all subgroups (P<0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed between NPQ-positive and NPQ-negative groups regarding any of the polyneuropathy types identified via EMG (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study explores the association between screening-positive neuropathic pain and quality of life. Given the high prevalence of polyneuropathy on EMG even among patients without symptoms suggestive of neuropathic pain, it can be valuable to assess dialysis patients during the asymptomatic period as well.