Neuropathic pain assessment - An overview of existing guidelines and discussion points for the future

Abstract

Neuropathic pain is a common and disabling condition that may accompany disorders of the somatosensory system at different anatomical levels. Making the diagnosis of neuropathic pain is a prerequisite for offering the patient specific therapy. In the last few years, the methodological toolbox for the assessment of neuropathic pain has been improved and replenished so that different instruments are available to examine patients and to find out if and to what extent neuropathic pain is present. Currently, three published guidelines are available on the assessment of neuropathic pain. These guidelines are summarised and detailed below, and suggestions are made for future studies investigating known and new methods for the improvement of neuropathic pain assessment. © TOUCH BRIEFINGS 2011.