Psychiatric symptoms in male traumatic lower limb amputees: associations with neuropathic pain, locomotor capabilities, and perception of body image

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to compare psychiatric symptoms of male lower limb amputation (LLA) patients with neuropathic pain and without neuropathic pain; to show the relationship between these outcomes and functional status and body image disturbances. Methods: Fifty male traumatic LLA patients were included into the study. 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 were recorded. The amputee body image scale (ABIS) score, and locomotor capabilities index (LCI) score were calculated for each participant. They have also completed 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 when compared to Group 2. There were significant correlations among the ABIS and LCI scores and psychiatric symptom severity. Conclusion: Psychiatric symptoms other than depression and anxiety may also be present in amputees with neuropathic pain. Increasing physical activity and a positive body image perception may be associated with diminished psychiatric symptoms.