open access
A comparison of the usefulness of selected neuropathic pain scales in patients with chronic pain syndromes: a short communication
open access
Abstract
The aim of the study was to compare the usefulness of selected neuropathic pain scales in the diagnosis and monitoring of pain in patients with cancer and non-cancer pain syndromes.
62 patients with symptoms of chronic pain were enrolled in to the study. Following a routine medical examination (interview and physical examination) the patients together with the investigators completed four (DN4, PainDETECT, LANSS, MPQ). In addition, all the patients were examined using von Frey filaments to confirm the presence or absence of allodynia.
Neuropathic pain was diagnosed using the scales in a total of 39 patients (62.9%). In addition, examination with von Frey filaments revealed hyperalgesia in 50%, hypoaesthesia in 30.95% and allodynia in 27% of the patients.
The DN4 scale turned out to be the most sensitive (confirming neuropathic pain in 78.5% of all the study patients) and the LANSS scale turned out to be the least sensitive (confirming neuropathic pain in 48.49% of all the study patients).
Adv. Pall. Med. 2010; 9, 4: 117–122
Abstract
The aim of the study was to compare the usefulness of selected neuropathic pain scales in the diagnosis and monitoring of pain in patients with cancer and non-cancer pain syndromes.
62 patients with symptoms of chronic pain were enrolled in to the study. Following a routine medical examination (interview and physical examination) the patients together with the investigators completed four (DN4, PainDETECT, LANSS, MPQ). In addition, all the patients were examined using von Frey filaments to confirm the presence or absence of allodynia.
Neuropathic pain was diagnosed using the scales in a total of 39 patients (62.9%). In addition, examination with von Frey filaments revealed hyperalgesia in 50%, hypoaesthesia in 30.95% and allodynia in 27% of the patients.
The DN4 scale turned out to be the most sensitive (confirming neuropathic pain in 78.5% of all the study patients) and the LANSS scale turned out to be the least sensitive (confirming neuropathic pain in 48.49% of all the study patients).
Adv. Pall. Med. 2010; 9, 4: 117–122
Keywords
cancer and non-cancer pain; chronic pain; neuropathic pain scales; allodynia
About this articleTitle
A comparison of the usefulness of selected neuropathic pain scales in patients with chronic pain syndromes: a short communication
Journal
Advances in Palliative Medicine
Issue
Pages
117-122
Published online
2011-02-02
Page views
816
Article views/downloads
2495
Bibliographic record
Advances in Palliative Medicine 2010;9(4):117-122.
Keywords
cancer and non-cancer pain
chronic pain
neuropathic pain scales
allodynia
Authors
Wojciech Bisaga
Magdalena Dorazil
Jan Dobrogowski
Jerzy Wordliczek