Article

Few studies on disabilities relate to neurogenic chronic pain conditions
and how pain influences the patient's ability to maintain life roles.
Polyneuropathy is a condition with muscle weakness, sensory impairment and
sometimes additional pain of neurogenic origin.
The aim was to investigate
disability reported in daily activities and quality of life in patients with
polyneuropathy, with and without neurogenic pain. METHOD:
A mail questionnaire
designed to collect data on the state of health and impact on daily activities,
including the Quality of Life-scale, Swedish version (QOLS-S), were sent to 60
patients with polyneuropathy. Forty-two (72.4%) responded. RESULTS: Twenty-three
patients were old-age pensioners (>65 years), ten had disability pension and nine
were employed. Twenty-seven patients reported pain in addition to polyneuropathy.
The neuropathy symptoms influenced occupational performance at work and leisure
and in housework for 72% of the patients. Patients with additional neurogenic
pain reported significantly greater performance problems in 55% of the daily
activities compared with patients without pain. Quality of life was significantly
lower for patients with pain concerning health and participation in active
recreation. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms in polyneuropathy, especially when accompanied
by pain, give rise to disability that affects daily activities and ought to be considered in planning a successful intervention programme.

Langue : ANGLAIS