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The evolving nature of neuropathic pain: individualizing treatment
Author(s) -
Smith Howard S.,
Sang Christine N.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
european journal of pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.305
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1532-2149
pISSN - 1090-3801
DOI - 10.1016/s1090-3801(02)90003-0
Subject(s) - neuropathic pain , medicine , postherpetic neuralgia , neuralgia , disease , mechanism (biology) , pain syndrome , physical therapy , intensive care medicine , anesthesia , philosophy , epistemology
While it may be convenient to categorize neuropathic pain syndromes on the basis of anatomical distribution or disease state (e.g., diabetic neuropathy, radiculopathy, postherpetic neuralgia), the treatment of neuropathic pain, alone, should also consider the signs and symptoms and the underlying putative mechanisms that may then be inferred from each individual's signs and symptoms. A diagnosis‐based approach to treatment may not effectively relieve a patient's pain or improve his or her quality of life, the ultimate goal of treatment. Although research that supports a symptom‐and mechanism‐based approach to treating neuropathic pain is ongoing and dynamic, the preclinical and clinical data available thus far form an initial rational framework within which we may attempt to target putative pain mechanisms. © 2002 European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.