Painful swelling after a noxious event and the development of complex regional pain syndrome 1: A one-year prospective study

Abstract

Background

The timing of diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) 1 remains a challenge due to the large heterogeneity of clinical presentations. We describe the distribution and differences in outcomes and clinical manifestations between time points and patient groups with and without CRPS 1 following an initiating event.

Methods

Prospective cohort study with a consecutive registration of patients presenting with painful swelling of the affected extremity after an initiating event and follow-up visits after 3, 6 and 12 months.

Results

Forty-two patients were enrolled (37 females, mean age 55.1 years). At baseline, 35 participants (83%, females n = 30) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for CRPS 1. At 3 months, 19 out of the initial 35 CRPS 1 patients (54%) did not meet the diagnostic criteria anymore. Besides our inclusion criteria of a painful swelling, early manifestations indicating a CRPS 1 primarily include an impaired quality of life (SF-35, EQ5-D), more pain (NRS, MPQ) and restricted range of motion.

Conclusions

CRPS 1 develops within 8 weeks following a noxious event. Although many CRPS 1 patients reach partial remission within the first 3 months, signs and symptoms do not improve significantly at 1 year. In order to identify prognostic risk factors large prospective cohort studies are needed.

Significance

This prospective cohort study follows patients with complaints most suspected for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) 1. CRPS 1 develops within 8 weeks following a noxious event. Although many CRPS 1 patients reach partial remission within the 3 months, symptoms do not improve significantly at 1 year.

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