Prevalence and characteristics of neuropathic pain in the people affected by leprosy in China.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and the characteristics of neuropathic pain among the people affected by leprosy in China.

METHODS: People affected by leprosy in four leprosy villages were interviewed about neuropathic pain with an interviewer-administrated questionnaire.

RESULTS: In a total of 275 patients with leprosy interviewed, 126 (45.8%) reported having symptoms suggestive of neuropathic pain. The pain was severe in 70 (55.5%) patients, moderate in 49 (38.9%) and mild in 7 (5.6%). Of the 126 patients with leprosy, 109 (86.5%) stated that the pain had some impact on their daily life: mild in 13 (10.3%), moderate in 45 (35.7%) and severe in 51 (40.5%). Sleep disturbance caused by pain was reported in 119 (94.4%) patients with leprosy: mild in 13 (10.3%), moderate in 51 (40.5%) and severe in 55 (43.6%). Ninety-six patients with leprosy (76.2%) reported that they had tried analgesics alone or in combination with steroids for the relief of their pain, of which 78 (81.2%) people reported that the treatment was effective.

CONCLUSIONS: Neuropathic pain is not uncommon in both MB and PB patients who have completed effective antimicrobial treatment. The effectiveness of analgesics alone or in combination with steroids, in the treatment of neuropathic pain in patients with leprosy, needs to be studied.