Abstract Details

Title Recognizing Neuropathic Pain as a Symptom of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease that impacts Quality of Life

Background CMT is the most commonly inherited neurological disorder, with a prevalence of 1/2,500. With no definitive cure or approved pharmacologic options, treatment focuses on rehabilitation and psychosocial support.

Objective This study utilizes patient-reported data to explore under-recognized contributors to disease burden in Charcot-Marie Tooth (CMT) disease. The goal of this study is to evaluate the psychosocial impact of pain on patients with CMT.

Design/Methods Adults with CMT (n=224) participated in a mobile survey consisting of questions assessing pain quality and psychosocial factors. Validated PROMIS? scales generated T-scores describing the degree of neuropathic pain, life satisfaction, and social isolation. Statistical analysis included Pearson’s product-moment correlation and Wilcoxon rank sum tests.

Results A majority of respondents (81.6%) reported pain in the past 7 days, with a mean (SD) severity of 4.2±2.5 out of 10. Females aged <65 scored highest on the pain scale (5.01±2.45) and males aged >65 scored lowest (3.22±2.56). The majority of respondents experienced neuropathic-type pain (63.95%). Life satisfaction and social isolation scores among this population did not significantly differ from the general public, but pain significantly impacted patient-reported quality of life scores. Life satisfaction scores decreased with increasing pain severity (r=-0.253, p=0.00059). Social isolation was correlated with pain severity (r=0.167, p=0.02597). Compared to patients with non-neuropathic pain, patients with neuropathic pain reported increased social isolation (p=0.005967) and decreased life satisfaction (p=0.03558).

Conclusions

These patient-reported data reveal neuropathic pain as a contributor to disease burden in patients with CMT. Our findings suggesting that patients with severe, neuropathic-type pain experience heightened social isolation and diminished life satisfaction indicate that pain may be an unmet target in improving quality of life in patients with CMT.

Note: The first 2 authors contributed equally to this work.

Authors/Disclosures
Catherine Walsh Imossi PRESENTER	Ms. Imossi has nothing to disclose.
Florian P. Thomas, MD, MA, PhD, FAAN (Hackensack University Medical Center)	Dr. Thomas has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Hackensack Meridian Health. Dr. Thomas has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Pharnext. Dr. Thomas has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. Dr. Thomas has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for Gravel & Shae. The institution of Dr. Thomas has received research support from University of Pennsylavania. Dr. Thomas has a non-compensated relationship as a Board Member, Metro New Jersey with National MS Society that is relevant to AAN interests or activities. Dr. Thomas has a non-compensated relationship as a Board Member with American Paraplegia Society that is relevant to AAN interests or activities.
Robert N. Moore (HNF)	Mr. Moore has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation .
Allison Moore, Other (Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation)	Mrs. Moore has nothing to disclose.
Joy Aldrich, Other (Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation)	Mrs. Aldrich has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation.
Simon Gelman (HMH)	Dr. Gelman has nothing to disclose.
Seo Youn Chang	Miss Chang has nothing to disclose.