Neuropathic Pain and Pharmacological Treatment |
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| Authors: | Joost L. M. Jongen MD PhD Guy Hans MD PhD Honorio T. Benzon MD FIPP Frank Huygen MD PhD FIPP Craig T. Hartrick MD FIPP |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC, , Rotterdam, The Netherlands;2. Department of Anesthesiology, Erasmus MC, , Rotterdam, The Netherlands;3. Department of Anesthesiology and Multidisciplinary Pain Center, Antwerp University Hospital, , Edegem, Belgium;4. Department of Anesthesiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, , Chicago, Illinois;5. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Erasmus MC, , Rotterdam, The Netherlands;6. Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Anesthesiology, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, , Rochester, Michigan, U.S.A |
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| Abstract: | ![]()
Neuropathic pain is a serious chronic condition strongly affecting quality of life, which can be relieved but cannot be cured. Apart from symptomatic management, treatment should focus on the underlying disorder. The estimated prevalence is at least 1% to 5% of the general population. Neuropathic pain is characterized both by spontaneous and evoked pain. A diagnosis of neuropathic pain can usually be established based solely on history and neurological examination. Ancillary investigations may include EMG and computerized tomography/magnetic resonance imaging scans, depending on the localization of the suspected lesion. A limited number of agents, primarily directed at symptom control, are currently approved for use in neuropathic pain. A mechanism‐based approach to pharmacological intervention supports the use of polypharmacy in neuropathic pain. |
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| Keywords: | evidence‐based medicine review neuropathic pain clinical diagnosis pharmacological management polypharmacy |
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