Factors related to phantom limb pain and its effect on quality of life.

Aims: This study aims to investigate phantom limb pain (PLP), PLP-related factors, and the effect of PLP on quality of life in patients who had undergone upper or lower extremity amputation.

Methods: One hundred four patients with unilateral amputation of the upper or lower extremity were included in this cross-sectional study. The patients were divided into two groups as patients with PLP and without PLP. Patients' demographic (age, gender, marital status, education level, employment status) and clinical information (date of amputation, amputated limb, the side, level and cause of amputation, phantom limb sensation and pain, sleep disorder) and quality of life (Nottingham extended activities of daily living index) were compared between the groups. In addition, factors associated with PLP were analysed.

Results: Of the 104 patients, 47 patients (45.19%) had PLP. In the group with PLP, phantom sensation and sleep disturbance were significantly higher, whereas the time elapsed after amputation and Nottingham extended activities of daily living index score were significantly lower (p < 0.05). The relationship between PLP and sleep disorder and between PLP and marital status was significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Our study results showed that PLP was associated with sleep disorder and marital status, and the quality of life was low in the group with PLP. Therefore, PLP evaluation should not be disregarded in amputees; PLP should be treated to increase quality of life.