FWD:RSD World News-Undertreatment/Underdiagnosis Can Lead to Disability

RSD In the News : FWD:RSD World News-Undertreatment/Underdiagnosis Can Lead to Disability
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From: byrd45 (Original Message) Sent: 5/23/2005 2:25 PM
Friday May 6, 12:22 pm ET
Under-diagnosis and Under-treatment Can Lead to Disability

MILFORD, Conn., May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
(CRPS), also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD), is
a complex and poorly understood neurological syndrome characterized by
severe pain. CRPS/RSD affects from 2.3 to 3 times more women than men
and is a major cause of disability -- only one in five patients is
able fully to resume prior activities. Equally frightening is the
increasing diagnosis of CRPS/RSD in children and adolescents.



CRPS/RSD is a common complication after surgery or a minor injury, but
the resulting pain is disproportionate. A recent web-based
epidemiological survey of 1,610 people with CRPS, sponsored by the
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Association of America (RSDSA) and
conducted by Johns Hopkins University, showed that common events
leading to the syndrome were surgery (29.9%) fracture (15%), sprain
(11%) and crush injuries (10%).

Telltale signs and symptoms of CRPS/RSD include: moderate-to-severe
pain, often caused by stimuli that would not normally provoke pain
(the water in a shower, light breezes, the touch of clothing, etc.);
abnormal skin color or temperature changes; and sweating. The
continuing tragedy is that many physicians are not familiar with its
telltale symptoms and do not consider the diagnosis in their
examination. Experience has shown that early diagnosis promotes more
successful outcomes for people with the syndrome.

Linda Lang, co-author of Living With RSDS, suffered for many years
before her syndrome was appropriately diagnosed. Although people with
CRPS/RSD often talk about pain, "There is an awful lot we leave out --
how a productive member of society can become too disabled to work or
to take care of her children. We don't discuss the tremendous personal
losses-families, friends, jobs-that CRPS/RSD wreaks, nor do we discuss
the outrageously difficult time we have negotiating the red tape that
binds insurance, medical, and social security benefits. Evaluating
pain is subjective, but the losses are measurable, and often,
substantial."

The RSDSA suggests that anyone who thinks that they or a family member
might have CRPS/RSD visit http://www.rsds.org or contact the
association call toll-free (877)662-7737 for an information packet.

RSDSA is a national not-for-profit organization, headquartered in
Milford, Connecticut, that promotes greater public and professional
awareness of CRPS/RSD and educates those afflicted with the syndrome,
their families, friends, insurance and healthcare providers on the
disabling pain it causes.


Source: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Association of America