Relationship between Neuropathic Pain and Obesity

Abstract

Objectives. Overweight negatively affects musculoskeletal health; hence obesity is considered a risk factor for osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain. This was conducted to determine if obesity affects neuropathic pain, usually considered unrelated to the weight-load on the musculoskeletal system. Methods. Using a cut-off body mass index value of 25, 44 patients with neuropathic pain were grouped into a “high-BMI” group and a “normal-BMI” group. Results. The numeric rating scale of the high-BMI group was significantly higher than that of the normal-weight group (P < 0.05). The total NPSI scores were significantly higher (P < 0.01), and the paroxysmal pain and the negative symptoms were more serious in the high-BMI group than in the normal-BMI group. The high-BMI subjects also had significantly higher SF-MPQ scores (P < 0.05). However, both physical and mental health status on the SF-36 were comparable between the groups. Discussion. Neuropathic pain that did not arise from musculoskeletal damage was higher in the high-BMI patients. Paroxysmal pain was more severe, suggesting that neural damage might be aggravated by obesity-associated inflammation. These findings should have needed to be confirmed in future studies.

Obesity and Incident Prescription Opioid Use in the U.S., 2000–2015

“…49 Additionally, previous studies have found significant associations of obesity with muscle and nerve pain, including neuropathy and disorders of muscle ligaments. 50 Obesity is also associated with increased depression, pain perception, and disturbed sleep, 25,51−53 which could present additional pathways through which BMI affects chronic pain and opioid use. 54 Although increased chronic pain and prescription opioid use are closely associated with depression and poor mental health, this study revealed that adults living with obesity were at heightened risk for long-term prescription opioid use, even after adjusting for mental health.…”

Modulation of Pain Sensitivity by Chronic Consumption of Highly Palatable Food Followed by Abstinence: Emerging Role of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase

“…Obesity is usually associated with musculoskeletal system disorders such as back pain or osteoarthritis. Moreover, many studies indicate that it could be one of the risk factors in some nociceptive pain conditions, and more recently, it has been demonstrated that obesity is associated with worsening in neuropathic pain intensity (Hozumi et al, 2016). On the other hand, patients FIGURE 3 | Pain threshold by hot plate and tail flick test were performed at the end of CAF exposure (day 40) and during abstinence period (54 and 68 days).…”

Prevalence of sensory peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients at diabetes care centre: a cross sectional study

“…In the present study, the association between them found as low with biothesiometer and high positive correlation with NSS and NDS respectively this supports that there is a direct relation between the obesity and neuropathic pain this and the work done by Hozumi J et al, they had confirmed that obesity frequently tends to demonstrate limited activity of daily living and have suggested that the weight loss intervention might improve neuropathic pain severity. 20 Major strength of this epidemiological study compared with others is that it is substantially longer than any previously published study on the prevalence of DPN. Although Biothesiometry is a useful clinical tool for screening of neuropathy, its sensitivity is probably much lower than performing on nerve conduction studies for diagnosing neuropathy.…”