title: Neuropathic pain and pharmacological treatment.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Joost L M
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Jongen
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hans
authors.forename: Honorio T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Benzon
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Huygen
authors.forename: Craig T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Hartrick
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D019338:Polypharmacy
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics
keywords: clinical diagnosis; evidence-based medicine; neuropathic pain; pharmacological management; polypharmacy; review