Report on 25 Notalgia paresthetica cases: Clinical features and treatments.

Abstract

Objectives: Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is a neuropathic condition that manifests as a chronic itch on the back. The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the characteristics of patients diagnosed with NP.

Methods: A total of 25 female patients, aged 26-64 years (mean+-10.67 years; median 47.17 years), were studied to determine the spinal or peripheral origin of NP.

Results: On radiological examination, discopathy was observed in 24% of the patients, arthrosis in 32%, and degeneration in 56%. There was no significant relationship found between dermatological symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging posi-tivity (p=0.188). The patients' treatment programs were based on either physical therapy (44%), local injection (28%), exercise therapy (16%), or physical therapy and kinesiotherapy (12%). Subjective measures for pain were validated with an average visual analog scale (VAS), and the 'Douleur Neuropathique 4' (DN4) questionnaire was used to screen for neuropathic pain. The VAS score of the patients before treatment was 7, and after treatment was 2. The mean DN4 score was 7 before treatment and 2 after treatment.

Conclusion: NP is a rare syndrome of unknown etiology. We aim in this study to analyse NP clinical properties and treatment.