Pain type and neuropathic pain components in acute herpes zoster.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the pain type (nociceptive or neuropathic) and neuropathic pain components in patients with acute herpes zoster (HZ). METHODS: Patients with acute HZ referred to the outpatient Dermatology and Venereology clinic between January 2021 and January 2022 were retrospectively detected. The demographic data including gender and age, rash localization, pain severity, and neuropathic pain components were recorded. Pain severity and neuropathic pain components were evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4), respectively. RESULTS: The study included a total of 58 patients, comprising 33 females and 25 males. Of these patients, 35 (60.3%) were found to have neuropathic pain. Itching, burning, pins and needles, and tingling were the most frequently reported neuropathic pain signs and symptoms. The proportion of female patients with neuropathic pain was found to be significantly higher than that of male patients (p=0.021). No significant differences were observed in the distribution of pain across different body sites or in the age of patients with neuropathic pain (p>0.05). Itching was significantly more common in younger patients (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the study found that over half of the patients with acute HZ experienced neuropathic pain, and this was more frequently observed in female patients. Analysis of different components of neuropathic pain showed significant differences in age, gender, and site distribution. The findings of this study may have important implications for the manage-ment and treatment of acute HZ.

The relationship between disability and depression, anxiety, and sleep quality in patients with coccydynia.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, our aim was to investigate the relationship between sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and disability in patients with coccydynia. METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study evaluated 60 patients diagnosed with coccydynia. Clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded. Outcome measures included the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), which were analyzed. RESULTS: Depressive symptoms and anxiety were detected in 47 (78.3%) and 49 (81.6%) of the 60 patients, respectively. Additionally, 46 (76.7%) patients were identified as poor sleepers. Our results demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation between the quality of sleep and anxiety and depressive symptoms scores (p<0.001); there was also a statistically weak positive correlation with disability index values. CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms, anxiety, and poor sleep quality are exacerbated by disability in coccydynia. While coccydynia has been previously associated with neurotic disorders, the mechanisms underlying poor sleep quality remain unclear.