Investigation of Neuropathic Pain and Related Factors in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

ABS TRACT Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the neuropathic pain component in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) and to examine the relationship of neuropathic pain with disease activity, functional capacity, and quality of life.Material and Methods: This cross-sectional, case-control study included 27 AS patients diagnosed according to the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria and 27 healthy subjects.Neuropathic pain was assessed with the painDE-TECT questionnaire, disease activity was assessed with the Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), functional status with the Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), and quality of life with the AS Quality of Life Scale (ASQoL).Results: No significant difference was found between patients with AS and healthy individuals in terms of demographic data.The prevalence of neuropathic pain in AS patients was 33.3%.Patients with neuropathic pain (painDETECT>12) had higher BASDAI, BASFI and ASQoL scores compared with patients without neuropathic pain (p<0.05).There were significant positive correlations between neuropathic pain score and disease activity (BASDAI: r=0.850), functional status (BASFI: r=0.788) and quality of life (ASQoL: r=0.799) (p<0.05).Conclusion: Neuropathic pain is a common condition in AS patients and is associated with disease activity, functional capacity and quality of life.Therefore, the neuropathic pain component should be considered in AS patients and treatment options should be organized accordingly.