Background and aims: The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of neuropathic pain symptoms in patients with chronic pain due to knee osteoarthritis. 
Methods: This study included 250 subjects with chronic pain (pain that lasted more than 3 months) due to knee osteoarthritis (the average age 64,59±12,57 years). Current, maximum and average pain intensity in the last four weeks on numeric rating scale (NRS) were collected. Presence of the neuropathic pain was examined with the Douleur Neuropathique with 4 questions (DN4). The patients were divided into two groups according to the results of the DN4: the first, having the values of DN4<4 and the second with scores DN4≥4. 
Results: There was almost four times more women in our study (194 (77,6%)). The half of patients scored ≥4 on DN4 (Chart 1). There was no difference in gender between groups (93 (75,0%) vs 101 (80,2%) women, Χ2=0,957, p=0,364). All three collected pain intensities were significantly higher in group with  DN4≥4 (current pain intensity: t=-4,567, p<0,001; maximum pain intensity in the last 4 weeks: t=-3,931, p<0,001; average pain in the last 4 weeks: t=-2,441, p=0,016) (Chart 2). 
Conclusion: The findings of our study show that neuropathic pain (measured with DN4) was present in one half of the patients with chronic pain due to knee osteoarthritis. Patients in the second group had significantly higher pain intensities. We should consider these facts when planning the treatment for these patients.

NEUROPATHIC PAIN SYMPTOMS IN KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS PATIENTS