Complex regional pain syndromes: Clinical characteristics and pathophysiological factors

Aim of the workTo study relationship between clinical pattern of complex regional pain syndromes (CRPS) and inflammatory and sympathetic parameters.Patients and methodsTwenty one CRPS patients and 15 healthy controls were examined. Clinical data, sympathetic skin response (SSR), TNFα and normetanephrine were evaluated.ResultsFourteen patients had increased serum TNFα which showed significant relationship with some clinical parameters. Three patients had increased normetanephrine. Mean SSR latency was shortened in patients. No significant relationship between SSR and sweating manifestations and no correlation between serum normetanephrine, SSR, and serum TNFα were found.ConclusionInflammation plays a major role and SSR is enhanced in CRPS.