J Korean Med Sci.  2022 Jan;37(3):e8. 10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e8.

Subgrouping of Peripheral Neuropathic Pain Patients According to Sensory Symptom Profile Using the Korean Version of the PainDETECT Questionnaire

• Choi K
• Kwon O
• Suh BC
• Sohn E
• Joo IS
• Oh J

• KMID: 2524895
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e8

Abstract

Background
A culturally validated Korean version of the PainDETECT Questionnaire (PD-Q) was used to identify neuropathic pain components (NeP) in patients suffering from chronic pain. The purpose of this study was to determine if the Korean PD-Q can be used to subgroup patients with peripheral NeP according to sensory symptom profiles.
Methods
This study included 400 Korean patients with peripheral neuropathic pain diagnosed as probable or definite NeP. The total scores and subscores for each item in PD-Q were transformed into a Z-score for standardization. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to identify clusters of subjects by PD-Q scores.
Results
The mean total PD-Q score of the study participants was 14.57 ± 6.46. A hierarchical cluster analysis identified 5 clusters with distinct pain characteristic profiles. Cluster 1 had relatively severe burning and tingling sensations. The mean total PD-Q score for cluster 2 was the lowest of the 5 clusters. Cluster 3 tended to be vulnerable to pain in response to cold/heat stimulation. Cluster 4 showed relatively severe pain induced by physical stimuli, such as light touch or slight pressure. Cluster 5 had high scores for all NeP symptoms.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates the ability of patients to cluster by symptoms using the Korean PD-Q. Subgrouping of peripheral neuropathic pain by sensory symptom profile may be useful in making effective drug treatment decisions.

Keyword

Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Polyneuropathies; Polyneuropathies; Mononeuropathies; Mononeuropathies; Postherpetic; Postherpetic; Pain; Pain; Cluster Analysis; Cluster Analysis

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Five clusters according to sensory profile by Korean PD-Q. Cluster 1 showed relatively severe burning and tingling sensation. In cluster 2, the mean total PD-Q score was the lowest of the 5 clusters. Patients in cluster 2 mainly complained of tingling sensation and numbness. Cluster 3 had a relatively low burning sensation score but tended to be vulnerable to pain stimulated by cold/heat. Cluster 4 showed relatively severe pain induced by physical stimuli. Cluster 5 showed the highest mean total score. Patients in cluster 5 were characterized by having high scores for all neuropathic pain symptoms.PD-Q = PainDETECT Questionnaire.

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