{"id":"8715fde2-dc87-4b28-8257-748375f6df8f","slug":"commentary-on-neuropathic-pain-in-low-back-related-leg-pain-patients-what-is-the-evidence-of-prevalence-characteristics-and-prognosis-in-primary-care-a-systematic-review-of-the-literature","title":"Commentary on: Neuropathic pain in low back-related leg pain patients: What is the evidence of prevalence, characteristics, and prognosis in primary care? A systematic review of the literature","authors":["Jeffrey A. Brown"],"abstract":"Background: The commentary discusses a study involving nearly 3000 patients evaluated at primary care centers for low back pain, focusing on those diagnosed with neuropathic leg pain versus nociceptive referred leg pain. The authors conclude that neuropathic pain is associated with higher morbidity in low back leg pain patients, although the commentary critiques the lack of overarching statistics to support this conclusion. Summary: The commentary highlights that the study excludes patients with common conditions such as lumbar spinal stenosis and herniated discs, leaving a cohort with low back pain of unknown origin. It questions the mechanisms behind neuropathic and nociceptive pain in this population, particularly the unclear nature of referred leg pain. The commentary also notes that the study is not a meta-analysis and emphasizes the need for further research to fully understand the pain characteristics in primary care patients with low back pain. Conclusion: The commentary suggests that while the study aims to filter existing literature on low back-related leg pain, it ultimately serves as a preamble to a more comprehensive systematic evaluation. It underscores the importance of addressing the complexities of pain in patients presenting with low back pain in primary care settings. Keywords: neuropathic pain, nociceptive pain, low back pain, primary care, leg pain, morbidity, systematic review, pain mechanisms","thumbnailUrl":null,"publishDate":"2018-02-08T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/sni.sni_413_17","categories":["Pain","Commentary"],"fullTextUrl":"http://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/8760/SNI-9-23.pdf"}