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Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
Neuropathic pain is the pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system (IASP definition).
The challenge in assessment is to differentiate neuropathic pain from other types of pain. For definite diagnosis of neuropathic pain, abnormal sensory findings should be confined to the affected part of the nervous system, and further tests should confirm it.
8.1 Screening Tests
Several questionnaires are available and are validated for the identification of neuropathic pain. However, these tools may fail to identify the neuropathic pain in up to 20 % of patients.
8.1.1 Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs
Clinician administered
5 items related to painful area
2 items related to physical examination
Total score, 24; score >12, neuropathic pain likely
8.1.2 Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions
Clinician administered.
7 items related to painful area.
3 items related to physical examination.
Total score of 10; >4 is indicative of neuropathic pain.
Highest sensitivity and specificity for radicular pain.
8.1.3 Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire
Self-questionnaire.Related posts:
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