title: Prevalence of neuropathic pain according to the IASP grading system in patients with chronic non-malignant pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary objective was to determine the prevalence of neuropathic pain according to the new International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) grading system. The secondary objective was to compare the system classification of neuropathic pain with the classification of neuropathic pain according to a patient-administered screening questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Multidisciplinary Pain Center.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred twenty patients with a variety of chronic pain conditions referred to a multidisciplinary pain center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutively referred patients filled out the PainDETECT Questionnaire before the first consultation. During the first consultation, patients had pain history taken and bedside examination performed by a pain specialist. Patients were classified according to the score on the PainDETECT Questionnaire and graded according to the IASP grading system about the certainty of neuropathic pain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  According to the IASP grading system, 22 patients (18.3%) classified as probable or definite neuropathic pain and 90 patients (75%) as unlikely neuropathic pain. According to the PainDETECT Questionnaire, 55 patients (45%) were classified as likely neuropathic pain and 13 patients (10.8%) as unlikely neuropathic pain. Eleven patients (20%) who were classified as neuropathic pain according to PainDETECT were also classified as probable or definite neuropathic pain by the new IASP grading system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the new IASP grading system, less than 20% of the patients referred to a multidisciplinary pain center fulfilled the criteria for neuropathic pain. The classification of neuropathic pain with the IASP system varies from the classification of neuropathic pain with the use of a self-administered screening questionnaire.
authors.affiliation: Pain Center South, University Hospital Odense, Odense C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Henrik Bjarke
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Vaegter
authors.forename: Per Grunwald
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Marianne Frobøse
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Madsen
authors.forename: Gitte
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Handberg
authors.forename: Thomas Peter
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Enggaard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010045:Outpatients; D018710:Pain Clinics; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010808:Physical Examination; D015995:Prevalence; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D063189:Symptom Assessment; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Assessment; Chronic Pain; Epidemiology; IASP Grading System; Neuropathic Pain; Pain DETECT