Extent of recovery in the first 12 months of complex regional pain syndrome type-1: A prospective study

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hopeoverpain
12 months CRPS type 1 Extent of recovery study NZ

A recent study published in the European Journal of Pain acknowledged what most Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) patients knew from experience. While the literature & some studies suggest that there is a high rate of resolution of CRPS/RSD many patients symptoms don’t resolve within the first year. They continue and frequently can result in significant and often life-long disability.

Extent of recovery in the first 12 months of complex regional pain syndrome type-1: A prospective study

Bean, D.J., Johnson, M.H., Heiss-Dunlop, W. and Kydd, R.R. (2015), Extent of recovery in the first 12 months of complex regional pain syndrome type-1: A prospective study. European Journal of Pain. doi: 10.1002/ejp.813

Abstract

Background

The literature concerning the outcomes of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is contradictory, with some studies suggesting high rates of symptom resolution, whilst others demonstrate that CRPS symptoms can persist and lead to significant disability. The aim of the present study was to carefully document the extent of recovery from each of the signs and symptoms of CRPS.

Methods

A sample of 59 patients with recently onset (<12 weeks) CRPS-1 were followed prospectively for 1 year, during which time they received treatment-as-usual. At baseline, 6 and 12 months, the following were measured: CRPS severity scores (symptoms and signs of CRPS), pain, disability, work status and psychological functioning.

Results

Analyses showed that rates of almost all signs and symptoms of CRPS reduced significantly over 1 year. Reductions in symptom severity were clinically relevant and were greatest in the first 6 months and plateaued thereafter. However, at 1 year, nearly 2/3 of patients continued to meet the IASP-Orlando criteria for CRPS and 1/4 met the Budapest research criteria for CRPS. Only 5.4% of patients were symptom-free at 12 months.

Conclusions

Overall the results were less optimistic than several previously conducted prospective studies and suggest that few cases of CRPS resolve completely within 12 months of onset. Improvements were generally greater in the first 6 months, and suggest that it may be worth exploring early interventions to prevent long-term disability in CRPS.

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One response to “Extent of recovery in the first 12 months of complex regional pain syndrome type-1: A prospective study”

  1. Kevin Scardifield Avatar
    Kevin Scardifield

    CRPS Global Awareness Campaign

    Please copy this message and save it on your Computer to make it easier to use as you help Raise Awareness

    With Kind Permission of Pip Williams and Rick Parfitt and thanks to the extraordinary talents of Joyride and Del Bromham

    Below are the links to 2 CRPS Awareness Music Videos, Please take the time to watch both of them.

    Then send this message to your Family, Friends, Work Colleagues, Send it to your politicians, if your are a sufferer try and get a meeting with them, in the UK ask them to join the APPG for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Send it to your local TV and Radio Stations see if they will do a segment with you and one of the videos explaining why it’s so important to raise awareness, your local newspapers. Send it to your Hospital, Doctors and Dentists. Post it on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, on websites, forums and blogs, send it to celebrities and anyone else you can think of.

    If you are willing to spend 15 mins a week doing this then please join us https://www.facebook.com/groups/1792800220936741/

    CRPS Ain’t Complaining the MP3 is available to buy online all profits will go to helping sufferers.

    If you speak any other languages please translate this message and the lyrics and send it to people in that country

    Please subscribe to our channel for future videos

    Kevin

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