Validation of the Czech Version of the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI_cz)

Czech version

Authors: I. Šrotová ^1,2; E. Vlčková ^1,2; J. Straková ¹; S. Kincová ^1,2; L. Ryba ³; L. Dušek ⁴; B. Adamová ^1,2; J. Bednařík ^1,2
Authors‘ workplace: Neurologická klinika LF MU a FN Brno ¹; CEITEC – Středoevropský technologický institut MU Brno ²; Ortopedická klinika LF MU a FN Brno ³; Institut biostatistiky a analýz MU, Brno ⁴
Published in: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2015; 78/111(1): 45-56
Category: Original Paper

Overview

Introduction:
Simple questionnaires based on so called “neuropathic pain descriptors” are the most frequently used screening tools in the diagnosis of neuropathic pain, especially by non‑specialists. However, no validated Czech version of any of the internationally accepted nueropathic pain questionnaires is available.

Aim:
The aim of this study was to develop and validate a Czech version of the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI), a questionnaire that allows the user to characterize subtypes of neuropathic pain, is sensitive to change, and has discriminatory power.

Patients and methods:
The NPSI was translated into the NPSI_cz using the forward‑ backward translation method and validated in a group of patients suffering from neuropathic pain of peripheral (n = 66) or central origin (n = 30) due to polyneuropathy or multiple sclerosis, and in a group of individuals suffering from nociceptive pain (due to severe osteoarthritis of the knee or hip joint; n = 70). The NPSI_cz was repeated within three hours in 19 individuals to determine test‑ retest reliability.

Results:
The NPSI_cz showed good diagnostic validity in discriminating between patients with neuropathic and nociceptive pain (p < 0.001) but low ability to discriminate between patients with central and peripheral neuropathic pain (p > 0.05). Repeated administration confirmed acceptable test‑ retest reliability (intra‑ class correlation coefficient of 0.86 for the NPSI_cz sum score). Cluster analysis identified six different pain profiles.

Conclusions:
The NPSI_cz is able to discriminate between neuropathic and nociceptive pain, to identify different pain profiles, and has acceptable test‑ retest reliability. It can, therefore, be recommended as an easy‑ to‑ administer questionnaire suitable for the diagnosis of neuropathic pain, including long‑term follow up.

Key words:
neuropathic pain – nociceptive pain – pain measurement – questionnaire – polyneuropathy – multiple sclerosis – osteoarthritis

The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study.

The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE “uniform requirements” for biomedical papers.

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