The Association of Neuropathic Pain with Function, Disease Severity, Emotional Status, Sleep Disturbance, and Quality of Life in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Background/Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the frequency of neuropathic-like pain (NP) in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and its association with function, disease severity, emotional status, sleep disturbance, and quality of life. Methods: Consecutive patients with symptomatic KOA were included in this cross-sectional study. NP was evaluated using the painDETECT Questionnaire (PD-Q) and DN4. Functional status, disease severity, depression, anxiety, sleep quality, and quality of life were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Lequesne Index (LI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Short Form-36 (SF-36), respectively. Results: The frequency of NP was 46% according to the DN4 and 20% according to the PD-Q. Patients with NP had longer symptom duration, higher visual analog scale (VAS), WOMAC, LI, BAI, and PSQI scores, and lower SF-36 scores than patients without NP (all p < 0.05). NP scores correlated positively with VAS, WOMAC, LI, BDI, BAI, and PSQI scores and negatively with SF-36 scores. After adjustment for pain severity and symptom duration, several associations remained significant. Conclusions: NP was significantly associated with function, emotional status, sleep disturbance, and quality of life in patients with KOA.