Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to compare psychiatric symptoms in male lower limb amputation (LLA) patients with neuropathic pain and LLA patients without neuropathic pain and to evaluate the relationship between these outcomes and functional status and body image disturbances.
Methods: Fifty male traumatic LLAs were included. Twenty-seven were diagnosed with neuropathic pain (Group 1), while 23 had no neuropathic pain (Group 2). Demographic data including age, height, weight, and duration of amputation, amputee body image scale score (ABIS), and locomotor capabilities index score (LCI) were recorded. Psychiatric symptoms were measured using the Symptom Checklist-90-R, Beck Depression Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Short Form 36.
Results:
Intergroup comparison revealed significant differences in somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, anger-hostility, sleep quality, sleep duration, sleep disturbance, daytime sleepiness, trait anxiety and QOL. The differences were statistically significantly higher in Group 1 compared with Group 2. There were significant correlations among ABIS, LCI and psychiatric symptoms.
Conclusion:
Other psychiatric symptoms may be present in addition to depression and anxiety in amputees with neuropathic pain. Increasing physical activity and adjustment of body image can contribute to improved psychiatric symptoms.

Key words: Amputee, neuropathic pain, psychiatric symptoms, locomotor capability