Analysis of the influencing factors related to neuropathic pain in patients with spinal cord injuries: a retrospective study

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the related influencing factors of neuropathic pain (NP) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods Patients diagnosed with SCI between January 2016 and December 2019 in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, were screened for NP by using the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaire. A total of 133 patients diagnosed with SCI with NP were finally included in the study. We collected the patients' basic information, including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), disease course, injury segment, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade, occupation, educational level, whether painkillers were used, stability of economic support, and pain level. Univariate and multiple ordered logistic regression analyses were used to examine the influencing factors of NP in the patients with SCI. Results The chi-square test revealed that disease course, injury level, severity of SCI (ASIA classification), stable economic support during hospitalization, and the use of painkillers had statistical significance (p < .01). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the influencing factors of NP. ASIA grade, stable economic support, and use of painkillers were independent influencing factors of NP in patients with SCI, among which injury severity was the independent risk factor (odds ratio [OR] > 1). Stable economic support and painkiller use were protective factors (OR < 1). Conclusions In this study, we found no significant correlation between NP after SCI and sex, age, BMI, disease course, injury level, and occupation. However, the injury severity was an independent risk factor, and stable economic support and painkiller use were protective factors.