title: Multidisciplinary approach for the management of post-herpetic neuralgia in elderly patients.
abstract: Post-herpetic neuralgia is associated with significant distress and morbidity. The management of acute neuritis and/or post-herpetic neuralgia can be particularly difficult. A multidisciplinary approach is required. A team consisting of the primary care physician, pain specialist, neurologist, geriatrician, pain psychologist, psychiatrist, and a physiatrist with an integrated approach will provide the best results. Early interventional therapy with sympathetic nerve blocks may significantly decrease the need for long-term opioid therapy, as well as long-term use of anticonvulsants, antidepressants, or membrane stabilizers. Early referral to a multidisciplinary pain center may furthermore decrease the behavioral trauma and family disruption associated with this painful condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, USA.
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Ackerman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmad
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents