Relationship between Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Working Life: A Korean Study

Abstract

Complex regional pain syndrome affects the quality of life of the patient. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological features of this syndrome and evaluate its effect on the patient's working life. We demonstrated that the disease has a male preponderance and is 3 times more likely to affect the lower extremities. In this study, 11 participants (20%) retained their employment, whereas 44 (80%) became unemployed. Mean age and pain score were lower in the employment group than in the unemployment group (29.1 ± 16.8 yr vs 40.1 ± 12.6 yr, P = 0.021, and 4.5 ± 2.9 vs 7.0 ± 2.0, P = 0.002, respectively). Subjects diagnosed within 8 months (P = 0.044), those who had achieved higher levels of education (P = 0.028), and those working in white-collar jobs (P = 0.011) had higher employment-retention rates. Therefore, patients must manage their jobs (lower physical demand and decrease the number of working hours) if they are to improve their occupational life. To achieve satisfactory outcomes and a high employment-retention rate, clinicians must be aware of the importance of an early diagnosis (within 8 months), appropriate treatment, and a reduction in the patient's pain score.

The Legal Doctrine on the Liability of Physicians in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Involving Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

“…Although some studies have found that CRPS often occurs in the upper limb, 3 9 10 18 20 other studies have shown cases of symptoms in the lower limbs. 16 17 19 The present study is consistent with these previous works, as 11 of the 23 cases involved CRPS occurring in the lower limbs and nine in the upper limbs. Further, this study found that the average period from disputed medical procedure to diagnosis was one year and two months.…”

“…This result is similar to those of previous studies in Korea, which found that the ratio of CRPS types I to II was 7:3, 16 and 92.7% of all subjects had CRPS type I. 17 …”

“… 1 The precipitating factors leading to the onset of CRPS are trauma, fracture, surgical procedure, and injection. 2 3 10 16 17 18 19 …”

“…CRPS is a disease that affects the quality of life. Diagnosis within eight months is important for maintaining employment 17 ; thus, early diagnosis and treatment are also important. 16 17 …”

Multicenter study on the asymmetry of skin temperature in complex regional pain syndrome

“…[12–14] One possible explanation for this finding could be that obligatory military service in Korea may have increased the risk of trauma and CRPS in young males. Indeed, a previous epidemiologic study of the Korean population [15,16] showed similar characteristics to our study population.…”