Evaluation of Neuropathic Pain in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis

Neuropathic pain (NP) is the pain arising from a primary lesion or a dysfunction of nervous system. NP can affect central or peripheral nervous system and can be caused by numerous factors such as inflammation or neuroplastic changes. Inflammation can sensitize nociceptors in sensory nerves by promoting prostaglandin E2 and I2 secretion thus, cause neuropathic pain. Besides, a mixed pain pattern with neuropathic components is thought to be developed in chronic pain conditions. In this point of view, pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases is suitable for eliciting NP. In arthritic joints, even non-arthritic tissues are affected by the disease and a condition called peripheral sensitization develops. Previous studies about NP and inflammatory diseases link have focused on rheumatoid arthritis and number of studies about NP and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is limited. In this manner the aim of this study is to evaluate the frequency of NP among PsA patients and relationship between disease activity, quality of life, functionality, and other numerous factors.