Dados do Resumo

Título

Prevalence of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and neuropathic pain: a narrative review

Introdução

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) poses a growing concern within the realm of oncologic treatment, significantly impacting the quality of life for patients. This complex phenomenon manifests through a variety of debilitating symptoms, including tingling, numbness, pain, and muscle weakness, compromising the functionality and well-being of individuals undergoing these therapies.

Objetivo

To provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the prevalence of CIPN and neuropathic pain, exploring relevant studies and identifying gaps in the existing literature.

Métodos

A comprehensive narrative review was conducted from 2014 to January 2024, employing databases such as PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science, identifying relevant articles using the primary database search terms. The search strategy included controlled descriptors and strings tailored to each database, focusing on key terms: peripheral neuropathy chemotherapy induced, Neuropathic pain, cancer pain, prevalence, and epidemiology. The review encompassed adult patients with cancer and peripheral neuropathy or neuropathic pain, excluding studies that did not directly investigate chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain and peripheral neuropathy. Data extraction involved two independent reviewers, resolving disagreements through a third author. This systematic approach ensured a rigorous examination of the literature, providing valuable insights into the prevalence and epidemiology of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and neuropathic pain in cancer patients.

Resultados

The final sample consisted of 11 studies: 5 articles from European countries, 4 from North America, 1 from Oceania and 1 from Asia. In terms of methodology, 5 were prospective cohort studies, 2 were cross-sectional studies, 2 were narrative reviews, 1 was a retrospective cohort study and 1 was a systematic review. The prevalence of CIPN in the studies ranged from 16.8% to 92.06%, with an average of 29.76%. With regard to the prevalence of painful symptoms related to Neuropathic Pain (NP), studies vary from 12.4% to 82.9% with an average of 35.9% among patients with CIPP. The most neurotoxic drugs were taxanes, platinum, bortezomib, vinca alkaloids and phosphamides. Other results are in relation to risk factors which include female gender, younger age, cancer at a more advanced stage, among others, and poorer quality of life and difficulty in carrying out activities of daily living in people with painful symptoms.

Conclusões

CIPN and PN are common and debilitating conditions affecting patients undergoing cancer treatment. The results of this review indicate that CIPN is a common condition, with an average of 29.76%. Among patients with CIPN, approximately 35.9% have pain symptoms. CIPN can cause a variety of symptoms, which can have a significant impact on patients' quality of life, affecting their ability to perform activities of daily living, work and interact socially.

Palavras Chave

Peripheral Neuropathy; Peripheral Neuropathy Chemotherapy Induced; Neuropathic Pain