Neuropathic pain screening tool (DN4)

NEUROPATHIC PAIN SCREENING TOOL (DN4) The DN4 is a 10-item screening tool designed to estimate the probability of neuropathic pain, used by medical examiners to guide the patient interview and examination. [+] yes/present, [-] no/absent Score 1 point for each [+] response Patient symptoms: 1. Does the pain have any of the following characteristics: [-] burning, [-] painful cold, [-] electric shocks? Score /3: 2. Is the pain associated with one or more of the following symptoms in the same area: [-] tingling, [-] pins and needles, [-] numbness, [-] itching? Score /4: Physical examination: 3. Is the pain located in an area where the physical examination may reveal one or more of the following characteristics: [-] hypoaesthesia to touch, [-] hypoaesthesia to pin prick? Score /2: 4. In the painful area, can the pain be caused or increased by: [-] brushing? Score /1: Total Score /10: Interpretation: a total score of 4/10, or more, is considered positive for nerve pain.

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Referelces

1. Bouhassira D, et al. Comparison of pain syndromes associated with nervous or somatic lesions and development of a new neuropathic pain diagnostic questionnaire (DN4). Pain. 2005 Mar;114(1-2):29-36.

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• Brief Pain Inventory