Table 1.
Characteristic of treated patients
| Characteristics | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of patients, n (%) | 18 (100) |
| Age, years (SD) | 62.67 (8.25) |
| Female, n (%) | 12 (66.67) |
| Cancer location | |
| Colon, n (%) | 18 (100) |
| Cumulative neurotoxic dose, mg/m2 (SD) | 832.9 (111.53) |
| Beginning of symptoms after, mg/m2 (SD) | 648.07 (331.12) |
| Drugs prior to capsaicin | |
| No treatment, n (%) | 9 (50) |
| Gabapentin, n (%) | 5 (27.78) |
| Pregabalin, n (%) | 2 (11.11) |
| Amitriptyline, n (%) | 2 (11.11) |
| SSRIs, n (%) | 2 (11.11) |
| Transdermal lidocaine, n (%) | 2 (11.11) |
| Coexisting morbidities | |
| Hypertension, n (%) | 8 (44.44) |
| Ischemic heart disease, n (%) | 5 (27.78) |
| Symptoms | |
| Pain, n (%) | 16 (88.89) |
| Paresthesis, n (%) | 18 (100.00) |
| Weakness, n (%) | 15 (83.33) |
| Disequilibrium, n (%) | 6 (33.33) |
| Dizziness, n (%) | 2 (11.11) |
| Cramps, n (%) | 3 (16.67) |
| Sock and gloves sensation, n (%) | 18 (100.00) |
| Hypoesthesis, n (%) | 18 (100.00) |
| Bathyanaesthesis, n (%) | 17 (94.44) |
| Decreased deep tendon reflex, n (%) | 18 (100.00) |
| Sensory ataxia, n (%) | 6 (33.33) |
| Initial pain level | 7.45 ± 1.14 |
| Pain after 1 day, NRS, ±SD | 4.95 ± 1.39 |
| Pain after 8 days, NRS, ±SD | 2.55 ± 1.14 |
| Pain after 8 weeks, NRS, ± SD | 1.20 ± 1.10 |
| Pain after 12 weeks, NRS, ± SD | 0.20 ± 0.41 |
| WHO neuropathic score before treatment, ±SD | 2.00 ± 0.65 |
| ECOG neuropathic score before treatment, ±SD | 2.35 ± 0.67 |
| WHO neuropathic score after 12 weeks, ±SD | 0.55 ± 0.51 |
| ECOG neuropathic score after 12 weeks, ±SD | 0.65 ± 0.48 |