Patient journey for those with chronic low back pain in Brazil: a semi-systematic review on the best approach

Background. Managing patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) in many countries, including Brazil, is a major challenge at the primary and specialty care level. Moreover, the information about epidemiology and patient management with CLBP is sparse. The primary objective of this semi-systematic review was to build local evidence about the prevalence and management pattern of CLBP. Methods. This semi-systematic review used Medline, Embase, and Biosis via Ovid the platform and additional resources (Google, Google Scholar, Incidence and Prevalence Database, World Health Organization, Brazilian Ministry of Health, and anecdotal information from local experts) to identify relevant literature between 2002–2020 to map the patient journey. Original full-text articles from Brazil in English containing data on pre-defined patient journey touchpoints (awareness, screening, diagnosis, treatment, adherence, and control) were screened. Data were synthesized using a simple or weighted mean, as applicable for patient journey components. Results. Of 297 records including those provided by local experts, eight studies were included for analysis. Awareness of CLBP and CLBP-NeP was 30.4% and 12%, respectively. According to published studies, adherence and symptoms control of patients was estimated with a similar percentage of 38% and 18%, respectively for CLBP and CLBP-NeP. CLBP-NeP prevalence (3.6%) was lower than that of CLBP (20.6%). Except for a comparable percentage of the treated population, for CLBP (39.1%) and CLBP-NeP (38%), the percentage of remaining touchpoints are higher in the case of CLBP than in CLBP-NeP, implying an improved patient journey for CLBP. Conclusion. The study highlights the usefulness to improve patient outcomes at the national level by measuring these mapping patient journey touchpoints. The outcome of this evidence-based study was fruitful to bridges the know-do gap in CLBP patients. Therefore, it is recommended to ensure continuing medical education, patient awareness, and health system preparedness while embracing the emerging insights on pain management.Histórico - O tratamento de pacientes com lombalgia crônica (LC) em muitos países, incluindo o Brasil, é um grande desafio no nível de atendimento primário e especializado. Além disso, as informações sobre epidemiologia e tratamento de pacientes com LC são escassas. O objetivo principal desta revisão semi-sistemática foi a construção de evidências locais sobre a prevalência e o padrão de tratamento da LC. Métodos. Esta revisão semi-sistemática utilizou Medline, Embase e Biosis via plataforma Ovid e recursos adicionais (Google, Google Scholar, Banco de dados de incidência e prevalência, Organização Mundial da Saúde, Ministério da Saúde do Brasil e informações anedóticas de especialistas locais) para identificar literatura relevante entre 2002 e 2020 para mapear a jornada do paciente. Artigos de texto completos e originais do Brasil em inglês contendo dados sobre pontos de contato predefinidos na jornada do paciente (conscientização, triagem, diagnóstico, tratamento, adesão e controle) foram selecionados. Os dados foram obtidos usando uma média simples ou ponderada, conforme aplicável para os componentes da jornada do paciente. Resultados. De 297 registros, incluindo os fornecidos por especialistas locais, oito estudos foram incluídos para análise. A conscientização da LC e da LC-NeP foi de 30,4% e 12%, respetivamente. De acordo com estudos publicados, a adesão e o controle dos sintomas dos pacientes foram estimados com percentual semelhante de 38% e 18%, respetivamente para a LC e a LC-NeP. A prevalência de LC-NeP (3,6%) foi menor que a de LC (20,6%). Com exceção de uma porcentagem comparável da população tratada, para LC (39,1%) e LC-NeP (38%), a porcentagem de pontos de contato restantes foi maior no caso de LC do que no LC-NeP, o que implicava uma melhora no trajeto do paciente para a LC. Conclusão. O estudo destaca a necessidade de melhorar os resultados dos pacientes em nível nacional, medindo esses pontos de contato da jornada do paciente. O resultado deste estudo baseado em evidências é importante para preencher a lacuna de conhecimento do paciente com LC. Portanto, recomenda-se garantir a educação médica contínua, a conscientização do paciente e a restruturação do sistema de saúde brasileiro, ao mesmo tempo em que adota novas práticas sobre o gerenciamento da dor

Dissecting central post-stroke pain:a controlled symptom-psychophysical characterization

Central post-stroke pain affects up to 12% of stroke survivors and is notoriously refractory to treatment. However, stroke patients often suffer from other types of pain of non-neuropathic nature (musculoskeletal, inflammatory, complex regional) and no head-to-head comparison of their respective clinical and somatosensory profiles has been performed so far. We compared 39 patients with definite central neuropathic post-stroke pain with two matched control groups: 32 patients with exclusively non-neuropathic pain developed after stroke and 31 stroke patients not complaining of pain. Patients underwent deep phenotyping via a comprehensive assessment including clinical exam, questionnaires and quantitative sensory testing to dissect central post-stroke pain from chronic pain in general and stroke. While central post-stroke pain was mostly located in the face and limbs, non-neuropathic pain was predominantly axial and located in neck, shoulders and knees (P < 0.05). Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory clusters burning (82.1%, n = 32, P < 0.001), tingling (66.7%, n = 26, P < 0.001) and evoked by cold (64.1%, n = 25, P < 0.001) occurred more frequently in central post-stroke pain. Hyperpathia, thermal and mechanical allodynia also occurred more commonly in this group (P < 0.001), which also presented higher levels of deafferentation (P < 0.012) with more asymmetric cold and warm detection thresholds compared with controls. In particular, cold hypoesthesia (considered when the threshold of the affected side was <41% of the contralateral threshold) odds ratio (OR) was 12 (95% CI: 3.8–41.6) for neuropathic pain. Additionally, cold detection threshold/warm detection threshold ratio correlated with the presence of neuropathic pain (ρ = −0.4, P < 0.001). Correlations were found between specific neuropathic pain symptom clusters and quantitative sensory testing: paroxysmal pain with cold (ρ = −0.4; P = 0.008) and heat pain thresholds (ρ = 0.5; P = 0.003), burning pain with mechanical detection (ρ = −0.4; P = 0.015) and mechanical pain thresholds (ρ = −0.4, P < 0.013), evoked pain with mechanical pain threshold (ρ = −0.3; P = 0.047). Logistic regression showed that the combination of cold hypoesthesia on quantitative sensory testing, the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory, and the allodynia intensity on bedside examination explained 77% of the occurrence of neuropathic pain. These findings provide insights into the clinical-psychophysics relationships in central post-stroke pain and may assist more precise distinction of neuropathic from non-neuropathic post-stroke pain in clinical practice and in future trials

The effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in central post-stroke pain

Introdução e objetivos: A dor central pós-acidente vascular cerebral (DCAVC) é causada pela lesão vascular de estruturas somatossensitivas encefálicas e comumente refratária aos tratamentos farmacológicos disponíveis atualmente. A estimulação magnética transcraniana repetitiva (EMTr) do córtex pré-frontal dorsolateral (CPFDL) pode alterar o limiar da dor térmica de indivíduos saudáveis e exercer efeito analgésico na dor aguda pós-operatória e em doentes com síndrome fibromiálgica. No entanto, seu efeito na dor neuropática e na DCAVC, em particular, ainda não foi avaliado. O objetivo do presente estudo, delineado de modo prospectivo, duplamente encoberto e controlado com placebo foi o de se avaliar o efeito analgésico da EMTr do CPFDL em doentes com DCAVC. Casuística e métodos: 21 doentes foram incluídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos, os do grupo ativo (EMTr-A) e os do grupo placebo (EMTr-S) e tratados, respectivamente, com dez sessões diárias de EMTr verdadeira (EMTr-A) ou sham (EMTr-S) do CFPDL esquerdo (10 Hz, 1250 pulsos/dia). A Escala Visual Analógica (EVA), o Questionário de Dor Neuropática e o Questionário de Dor McGill foram utilizados para avaliar-se a DCAVC. A depressão, a ansiedade e a qualidade de vida foram avaliadas, respectivamente, com a Escala de Hamilton para Depressão, Escala de Hamilton para Ansiedade e o Short Form Health Survey com 36 itens. As avaliações foram realizadas antes do início do estudo, durante a fase de estimulação e uma, duas e quatro semanas após a aplicação da última sessão de EMTr-A ou EMTr-S. O desfecho principal foi a alteração da intensidade da dor medida no último dia de estimulação em relação à intensidade do seu valor basal de acordo com a EVA. Foi programada uma análise interina dos resultados ao término da avaliação da metade dos doentes programados de acordo com o protocolo de tratamento. Resultados: Os escores médios basais da EVA foram 6,86 (+/- 1,79) e 6,8 (+/- 2,20) para os doentes dos grupos EMTr-A e EMTr-S, respectivamente; a variação média da EVA após o décimo dia de estimulação foi de - 0,07 (+/- 0,24) para os doentes do grupo EMTr-A e 0,1 (+/- 0,7) para o os do grupo EMTr-S. O tamanho do efeito do tratamento foi 0,02 (d de Cohen= 0,04). O estudo foi encerrado devido à significativa falta de eficácia da EMTr-A. Conclusão: A EMTr do CPFDL esquerdo não proporcionou efeito analgésico em doentes com DCAVCIntroduction and objectives: Central post-stroke pain (CPSP) is caused by an encephalic vascular lesion of the somatosensory pathways and is refractory to current pharmacological treatments. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) can change thermal pain threshold and cause analgesia in healthy subjects and also in acute post operatory pain as well as in fibromyalgia patients. However, its effect on neuropathic pain and particularly in CPSP patients has not been assessed yet. The aim of this prospective, double blind, shamcontrolled study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of left DLPFC rTMS in CPSP patients. Patients and methods: 21 patients were randomly included in two groups: the active (A-rTMS) group and the placebo (S-rTMS) group and were treated, respectively, with 10 daily sessions of real rTMS (A-rTMS) or sham (S-rTMS) of the left DLPFC (10 Hz, 1250 pulses/day). Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire and McGill Pain Questionnaire were used to evaluate the CPSP. The depression, the anxiety and the quality of life were evaluated, respectively, with the Hamilton Scale for Depression, Hamilton Scale for anxiety and the Short Form Health Survey with 36 items. Outcomes were assessed at the baseline, during the stimulation phase and at one, two and four weeks after the last session of ArTMS or S-rTMS. The main outcome was pain intensity change measured with the VAS at the last session of A-rTMS or S-rTMS, compared to the baseline. Interim analysis was scheduled when the first half of the patients have completed the study. Results: The average baseline scores of VAS were 6.86 (+/- 1.79) and 6.8 (+/- 2.20), respectively, for the groups A-rTMS and S-rTMS. The average variation of VAS after the 10th stimulation session was - 0.07 (+/- 0.24) for A-rTMS and 0.1 (+/- 0.7) to the S-rTMS group and the effect size of A-EMTr was 0.02 (Cohen\'s d= 0.04). The study was discontinued due to the significant lack of efficacy of the A-rTMS. Conclusion: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the left DLPFC did not provide an analgesic effect in CPSP patient

Genetic Polymorphism of Delta Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase (ALAD) Gene and Symptoms of Chronic Mercury Exposure in Munduruku Indigenous Children within the Brazilian Amazon

Genetic polymorphisms involved in mercury toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics may be associated with severe mercury toxicity. This study aimed to investigate the impact of an ALAD polymorphism on chronic mercury exposure and the health situation of indigenous children from the Brazilian Amazon. One-hundred-and-three indigenous children (under 15 years old) were included and genotyped (rs1800435) using a TaqMan validated assay. The mean age was 6.6 ± 4.5 years old, 60% were female, 49% presented with anemia, and the mean hair mercury concentration was 7.0 ± 4.5 (1.4–23.9) µg/g, with 49% exceeding the reference limit (≥6.0 µg/g). Only two children were heterozygous ALAD, while the others were all wild type. Minor allele frequency (ALAD G) and heterozygous genotype (ALAD CG) were 1% and 2%, respectively. The two children (12 and 14 years old) with the ALAD polymorphism had mercury levels above the average as well as had neurological symptoms related to chronic mercury exposure, such as visual field alterations, memory deficit, distal neuropathy, and toe amyotrophy. Both children also reported frequent consumption of fish in the diet, at least three times a week. In conclusion, our data confirm that an ALAD polymorphism can contribute to mercury half-life time, harmful effects, and neuropsychological disorders in indigenous children with chronic mercury exposure to gold mining activity

Chronic Mercury Exposure and GSTP1 Polymorphism in Munduruku Indigenous from Brazilian Amazon

Genetic polymorphisms may be involved with mercury levels and signs and symptoms of intoxication from this exposure. Therefore, the aims were to describe the frequency of the GSTP1 polymorphism and to evaluate its effects on mercury levels and neurological signs in three Munduruku indigenous villages in the Brazilian Amazon. One-hundred-and-seven indigenous (over 12 years old) were included and genotyped (rs1695) using a TaqMan validated assay. Then, associations were evaluated by binary logistic regression, using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Mean age was 27.4 &plusmn; 13.9 years old, 52.3% were male, mean hair mercury concentration was 8.5 &plusmn; 4.3, exceeding the reference limit (&ge; 6.0 &micro;g/g), and were different among the three villages: 13.5 &plusmn; 4.6 &micro;g/g in Sawr&eacute; Aboy, 7.4 &plusmn; 2.3 &micro;g/g in Poxo Muybu and 6.9&plusmn;3.5 &micro;g/g in Sawr&eacute; Muybu. The minor allele frequency of GSTP1 G was significantly different among the villages: 57% Sawr&eacute; Muybu, 21% Poxo Muybu and 15% Sawr&eacute; Aboy. Finally, after adjustment, GSTP1 GG and GA genotypes were associated with lower levels of Hg (OR = 0.13; CI95% = 0.03&ndash;0.49) and abnormal somatosensory signs (OR = 3.7; 95%IC = 1.5&ndash;9.3), respectively. In conclusion, monitoring this population is imperative to identify individuals at higher risk of developing signs of chronic mercury exposure based on the genetic profile

Chronic mercury exposure and GSTP1 polymorphism in Munduruku Indigenous from Brazilian Amazon

This research was funded by the vice presidency of environment, care and health promotion (VPAAS) of Fundação Oswaldo Cruz through the Decentralized Execution of Resources Document No. 175/2018, Process: 25000.209221/2018-18, signed between the Fundação Oswaldo Cruz and the Special Department for Indigenous Health, both under the Ministry of Health. This study was supported by the Brazilian agency Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro—FAPERJ and by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq).State University of Rio de Janeiro - West Zone. Research Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil / Oswald Cruz Foundation. National School of Public Health. Program of Post-Graduation in Public Health and Environment. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.University of São Paulo. Faculty of Medicine. São Paulo, SP, Brazil.Oswald Cruz Foundation. Polytechnic School of Health Joaquim Venâcio. Laboratory of Professional Education in Health Surveillance. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.University of São Paulo. Faculty of Medicine. São Paulo, SP, Brazil.University of São Paulo. Faculty of Medicine. São Paulo, SP, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.State University of Rio de Janeiro - West Zone. Research Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.Oswald Cruz Foundation. Polytechnic School of Health Joaquim Venâcio. Department of Endemic Diseases Samuel Pessoa. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.Oswald Cruz Foundation. Polytechnic School of Health Joaquim Venâcio. Program of Post-Graduation in Public Health and Environment. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil / Oswald Cruz Foundation. Polytechnic School of Health Joaquim Venâcio. Department of Endemic Diseases Samuel Pessoa. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.State University of Rio de Janeiro - West Zone. Research Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.Genetic polymorphisms may be involved with mercury levels and signs and symptoms of intoxication from this exposure. Therefore, the aims were to describe the frequency of the GSTP1 polymorphism and to evaluate its effects on mercury levels and neurological signs in three Munduruku indigenous villages in the Brazilian Amazon. One-hundred-and-seven indigenous (over 12 years old) were included and genotyped (rs1695) using a TaqMan validated assay. Then, associations were evaluated by binary logistic regression, using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Mean age was 27.4 ± 13.9 years old, 52.3% were male, mean hair mercury concentration was 8.5 ± 4.3, exceeding the reference limit (≥6.0 µg/g), and were different among the three villages: 13.5 ± 4.6 µg/g in Sawré Aboy, 7.4 ± 2.3 µg/g in Poxo Muybu and 6.9 ± 3.5 µg/g in Sawré Muybu. The minor allele frequency of GSTP1 G was significantly different among the villages: 57% Sawré Muybu, 21% Poxo Muybu and 15% Sawré Aboy. Finally, after adjustment, GSTP1 GG and GA genotypes were associated with lower levels of Hg (OR = 0.13; CI95% = 0.03–0.49) and abnormal somatosensory signs (OR = 3.7; 95%IC = 1.5–9.3), respectively. In conclusion, monitoring this population is imperative to identify individuals at higher risk of developing signs of chronic mercury exposure based on the genetic profile

Mercury exposure in Munduruku indigenous communities from Brazilian Amazon: methodological background and an overview of the principal results

This research was funded by the Vice-Presidency of Environment, Care and Health Promotion (VPPAS) of Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) through Decentralized Execution of Resources Document No. 175/2018, Process: 25000.209221/2018-18, signed between the Fiocruz and the Special Department for Indigenous Health, both under the Ministry of Health. The non-governmental organization WWF-Brazil offered financial support to disseminate the results of the research.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública. Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública. Centro de Referência Professor Hélio Fraga. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Escola Politécnica de Saúde Joaquim Venâncio. Laboratório de Educação Profissional em Vigilância em Saúde. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública. Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Faculdade de Medicina. Instituto de Pediatria e Puericultura Martagão Gesteira. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Instituto de Estudos em Saúde Coletiva. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.Imperial College London. Faculty of Medicine. Medical School Building. St Mary’s Hospital. Norfolk Place, London, UK.Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina. Hospital das Clínicas. Centro de Dor, Departamento de Neurologia. São Paulo, SP, Brazil.Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina. Hospital das Clínicas. Centro de Dor, Departamento de Neurologia. São Paulo, SP, Brazil.Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Psicologia. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia Clínica. São Paulo, SP, Brazil.Centro Universitário Estadual da Zona Oeste. Laboratório de Pesquisa de Ciências Farmacêuticas. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará - Unidade Tapajós. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde. Santarém, PA, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências. Santarém, PA, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Secretaria Especial de Saúde Indígena Tapajós. Distrito Sanitário Especial Indígena Rio Tapajós. Itaituba, PA, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública. Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.The Amazonian indigenous peoples depend on natural resources to live, but human activities’ growing impacts threaten their health and livelihoods. Our objectives were to present the principal results of an integrated and multidisciplinary analysis of the health parameters and assess the mercury (Hg) exposure levels in indigenous populations in the Brazilian Amazon. We carried out a cross-sectional study based on a census of three Munduruku indigenous villages (Sawré Muybu, Poxo Muybu, and Sawré Aboy), located in the Sawré Muybu Indigenous Land, between 29 October and 9 November 2019. The investigation included: (i) sociodemographic characterization of the participants; (ii) health assessment; (iii) genetic polymorphism analysis; (iv) hair mercury determination; and (v) fish mercury determination. We used the logistic regression model with conditional Prevalence Ratio (PR), with the respective 95% confidence intervals (CI95%) to explore factors associated with mercury exposure levels ≥6.0 µg/g. A total of 200 participants were interviewed. Mercury levels (197 hair samples) ranged from 1.4 to 23.9 μg/g, with significant differences between the villages (Kruskal–Wallis test: 19.9; p-value < 0.001). On average, the general prevalence of Hg exposure ≥ 6.0 µg/g was 57.9%. For participants ≥12 years old, the Hg exposure ≥6.0 µg/g showed associated with no regular income (PR: 1.3; CI95%: 1.0–1.8), high blood pressure (PR: 1.6; CI95%: 1.3–2.1) and was more prominent in Sawré Aboy village (PR: 1.8; CI95%: 1.3–2.3). For women of childbearing age, the Hg exposure ≥6.0 µg/g was associated with high blood pressure (PR: 1.9; CI95%: 1.2–2.3), with pregnancy (PR: 1.5; CI95%: 1.0–2.1) and was more prominent among residents in Poxo Muybu (PR: 1.9; CI95%: 1.0–3.4) and Sawré Aboy (PR: 2.5; CI95%: 1.4–4.4) villages. Our findings suggest that chronic mercury exposure causes harmful effects to the studied indigenous communities, especially considering vulnerable groups of the population, such as women of childbearing age. Lastly, we propose to stop the illegal mining in these areas and develop a risk management plan that aims to ensure the health, livelihoods, and human rights of the indigenous people from Amazon Basin

Central poststroke pain: somatosensory abnormalities and the presence of associated myofascial pain syndrome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Central post-stroke pain (CPSP) is a neuropathic pain syndrome associated with somatosensory abnormalities due to central nervous system lesion following a cerebrovascular insult. Post-stroke pain (PSP) refers to a broader range of clinical conditions leading to pain after stroke, but not restricted to CPSP, including other types of pain such as myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), painful shoulder, lumbar and dorsal pain, complex regional pain syndrome, and spasticity-related pain. Despite its recognition as part of the general PSP diagnostic possibilities, the prevalence of MPS has never been characterized in patients with CPSP patients. We performed a cross-sectional standardized clinical and radiological evaluation of patients with definite CPSP in order to assess the presence of other non-neuropathic pain syndromes, and in particular, the role of myofascial pain syndrome in these patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>CPSP patients underwent a standardized sensory and motor neurological evaluation, and were classified according to stroke mechanism, neurological deficits, presence and profile of MPS. The Visual Analogic Scale (VAS), McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), and Beck Depression Scale (BDS) were filled out by all participants.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Forty CPSP patients were included. Thirty-six (90.0%) had one single ischemic stroke. Pain presented during the first three months after stroke in 75.0%. Median pain intensity was 10 (5 to 10). There was no difference in pain intensity among the different lesion site groups. Neuropathic pain was continuous-ongoing in 34 (85.0%) patients and intermittent in the remainder. Burning was the most common descriptor (70%). Main aggravating factors were contact to cold (62.5%). Thermo-sensory abnormalities were universal. MPS was diagnosed in 27 (67.5%) patients and was more common in the supratentorial extra-thalamic group (P <0.001). No significant differences were observed among the different stroke location groups and pain questionnaires and scales scores. Importantly, CPSP patients with and without MPS did not differ in pain intensity (VAS), MPQ or BDS scores.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The presence of MPS is not an exception after stroke and may present in association with CPSP as a common comorbid condition. Further studies are necessary to clarify the role of MPS in CPSP.</p