PAIN WITH A NEUROPATHIC COMPONENT IN COMBATANTS AFTER GUNSHOT WOUNDS

Abstract

Background. In combatants with gunshot wounds, the frequency of pain chronicization is observed in 63.4-78.5% of cases. The reason for this high frequency of chronicization may be a neuropathic component. However, this hypothesis remains unexplored. Aim: To study the frequency of neuropathic pain in combatants after gunshot wounds. Materials and methods. We analyzed the treatment of 769 combatants after gunshot wounds. The neuropathic component of pain was identified using the Douleur Neuropathique 4 questions. The statistical analysis was performed using the Shapiro-Wilk, Friedman, chi-square, and Bonferroni correction. Results. The obtained data indicate that all combatants with chronic pain after gunshot wounds have a neuropathic component of pain (DN4 - from 4 to 5 points). Moreover, the results between the groups did not differ after 1 month - p=0.918, and after 3 months - 0.713, 6 months - p=0.824 and 12 months - p=0.911. Conclusion. Combatants who sustained gunshot wounds have a high risk of chronic pain. It was found that the neuropathic component of pain is present in all patients in this category, so it may be one of the key components of such a high frequency of pain chronicity, which requires further research.