Acute injury characteristics predict chronic neuropathic pain development after spinal cord injury - Report - MDSpire

Acute injury characteristics predict chronic neuropathic pain development after spinal cord injury

  • By

  • Kenneth A. Fond

  • Mayra Arellano

  • Abel Torres-Espin

  • Austin Chou

  • Xuan Bradfield

  • Sara L. Moncivais

  • J. Russell Huie

  • Debra D. Hemmerle

  • Anastasia V. Keller

  • Vineeta Singh

  • Lisa U. Pascual

  • Anthony M. DiGiorgio

  • Jason F. Talbott

  • William D. Whetstone

  • Jonathan Z. Pan

  • Philip R. Weinstein

  • Sanjay S. Dhall

  • Rajiv Saigal

  • Adam R. Ferguson

  • Jacqueline C. Bresnahan

  • Michael S. Beattie

  • Nikos Kyritsis

  • June 16, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Early Injury Features as Predictors of Chronic Neuropathic Pain

Overview

This study identifies four acute care variables that predict chronic neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury (SCI).

Background

Chronic neuropathic pain is a prevalent and debilitating complication after spinal cord injury, often prioritized by patients over other symptoms. Understanding the predictors of this pain can facilitate early interventions.

Data Highlights

VariableSignificance
Total number of systemic injuriesPredictor of chronic pain
Injury severity score (ISS)Predictor of chronic pain
Lower limb total motor scorePredictor of chronic pain
Sensory pinprick total scorePredictor of chronic pain

Key Findings

  • 59% of patients reported chronic neuropathic pain at 6 and 12 months post-SCI.
  • Four acute care variables were identified as significant predictors of chronic neuropathic pain.
  • The logistic regression model achieved a balanced accuracy of 74.3%.
  • The model's AUC was 0.708, indicating moderate predictive ability.
  • The identified predictors are routinely measured in trauma centers, enhancing clinical applicability.

Clinical Implications

The identification of early predictors of chronic neuropathic pain can guide clinicians.

Conclusion

The study highlights the importance of early identification of risk factors for chronic neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury patients.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Conexiant, Conexiant, 2023 -- Spinal Cord Injury Tied to Chronic Disease Risk
  2. Brain, Oxford Academic, 2023 -- Investigating Nerve Pathology and Prognostic Outcomes After Whiplash Injury: A Longitudinal Cohort Analysis
  3. Extended Evaluation of Chronic Pain Related to Lower Limb Injuries, Springer, 2023 -- Extended Evaluation of Chronic Pain Related to Lower Limb Injuries
  4. The CanPain SCI clinical practice guidelines for rehabilitation management of neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury: 2021 update, 2021 -- The CanPain SCI clinical practice guidelines
  5. Prevalence of neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis, ScienceDirect, 2023 -- Prevalence of neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury
  6. Frontiers in Immunology — Mechanical cues as immunomodulators in neuroinflammation-driven spinal sensitization: analgesic mechanisms and therapeutic strategies
  7. The CanPain SCI clinical practice guidelines for rehabilitation management of neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury: 2021 update
  8. Prevalence of neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis - ScienceDirect

Original Source(s)

Acute injury characteristics predict chronic neuropathic pain development after spinal cord injury

  • by Kenneth A. Fond, Mayra Arellano, Abel Torres-Espin, Austin Chou, Xuan Bradfield, Sara L. Moncivais, J. Russell Huie, Debra D. Hemmerle, Anastasia V. Keller, Vineeta Singh, Lisa U. Pascual, Anthony M. DiGiorgio, Jason F. Talbott, William D. Whetstone, Jonathan Z. Pan, Philip R. Weinstein, Sanjay S. Dhall, Rajiv Saigal, Adam R. Ferguson, Jacqueline C. Bresnahan, Michael S. Beattie, Nikos Kyritsis

  • June 16, 2026

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