title: Advances in neuropathic pain: diagnosis, mechanisms, and treatment recommendations.
abstract: Chronic neuropathic pain, caused by lesions in the peripheral or central nervous system, comes in many forms. We describe current approaches to the diagnosis and assessment of neuropathic pain and discuss the results of recent research on its pathophysiologic mechanisms. Randomized controlled clinical trials of gabapentin, the 5% lidocaine patch, opioid analgesics, tramadol hydrochloride, and tricyclic antidepressants provide an evidence-based approach to the treatment of neuropathic pain, and specific recommendations are presented for use of these medications. Continued progress in basic and clinical research on the pathophysiologic mechanisms of neuropathic pain may make it possible to predict effective treatments for individual patients by application of a pain mechanism-based approach.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology, University of Rochester School of Meedicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642. robert_dworkin@urmc.rochester.edu
authors: Robert H
authors: RH
authors: Dworkin
authors: Miroslav
authors: M
authors: Backonja
authors: Michael C
authors: MC
authors: Rowbotham
authors: Robert R
authors: RR
authors: Allen
authors: Charles R
authors: CR
authors: Argoff
authors: Gary J
authors: GJ
authors: Bennett
authors: M Catherine
authors: MC
authors: Bushnell
authors: John T
authors: JT
authors: Farrar
authors: Bradley S
authors: BS
authors: Galer
authors: Jennifer A
authors: JA
authors: Haythornthwaite
authors: David J
authors: DJ
authors: Hewitt
authors: John D
authors: JD
authors: Loeser
authors: Mitchell B
authors: MB
authors: Max
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Saltarelli
authors: Kenneth E
authors: KE
authors: Schmader
authors: Christoph
authors: C
authors: Stein
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Thompson
authors: Dennis C
authors: DC
authors: Turk
authors: Mark S
authors: MS
authors: Wallace
authors: Linda R
authors: LR
authors: Watkins
authors: Sharon M
authors: SM
authors: Weinstein
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D009437:Neuralgia; D010808:Physical Examination
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics