Max
11-26-2004, 06:52 PM
Most spinal-cord injury patients suffer 'abnormal' pain: poll
Three-quarters of paralyzed spinal-cord injury patients suffer from persistent abnormal pain, according to a study released Friday.
A group of spinal cord injury patients and the Japan Spinal Cord Foundation carried out a survey on about 1,600 patients nationwide.
This is the first time a survey this large on the malady has been conducted in Japan.
According to the survey, there is a lack of awareness on the part of physicians and a shortage of medical services to deal with the unusual pain. Only a quarter of the patients were told about potential treatments.
The pain is believed to be caused by false neurological signals sent to the central nervous system following injuries to the spinal cord.
"Some of us are suffering because of the misconception that paralyzed patients can't feel pain," said the leader of the patients' group, Yuki Abe.
She said the pain is a serious ailment concurrent with spinal cord injury and called for establishment of a treatment regime.
The 1,659 patients, whose spinal cords were damaged in sports or traffic accidents, or by diseases, including cancer, were surveyed in February and March. Most were injured more than 20 years ago.
About 75 percent of the pollees said they had experienced abnormal pain, and about 68 percent said they were currently suffering it.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20041127f3.htm
Three-quarters of paralyzed spinal-cord injury patients suffer from persistent abnormal pain, according to a study released Friday.
A group of spinal cord injury patients and the Japan Spinal Cord Foundation carried out a survey on about 1,600 patients nationwide.
This is the first time a survey this large on the malady has been conducted in Japan.
According to the survey, there is a lack of awareness on the part of physicians and a shortage of medical services to deal with the unusual pain. Only a quarter of the patients were told about potential treatments.
The pain is believed to be caused by false neurological signals sent to the central nervous system following injuries to the spinal cord.
"Some of us are suffering because of the misconception that paralyzed patients can't feel pain," said the leader of the patients' group, Yuki Abe.
She said the pain is a serious ailment concurrent with spinal cord injury and called for establishment of a treatment regime.
The 1,659 patients, whose spinal cords were damaged in sports or traffic accidents, or by diseases, including cancer, were surveyed in February and March. Most were injured more than 20 years ago.
About 75 percent of the pollees said they had experienced abnormal pain, and about 68 percent said they were currently suffering it.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20041127f3.htm