[Management of neuropathic pain]. / Prise en charge de la douleur neuropathique.
Rev Med Interne
; 36(7): 480-6, 2015 Jul.
Article
in Fr
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25958331
ABSTRACT
Neuropathic pain is often underestimated and not adequately treated. The DN4 scale is very useful for its identification since it will benefit from pharmacological and non-pharmacological specific alternative care. The pathophysiological mechanisms involve the hyperexcitability of nociceptive pathways or decreased inhibitory descending controls that will be the target of pharmacological treatments. Frontline molecules are antidepressants (tricyclics and mixed serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) and antiepileptics (α2δ calcium channel inhibitors). However, these drugs will only have a partial efficacy on pain. The therapeutic strategy is based on reasonable goals, starting with a monotherapy adapted to the patient's symptoms and comorbidities and increased step by step. Patient compliance to contract is essential and requires clear and complete information. The impact on profession, social and family integration should rapidly be taken into account. In case of inefficiency, a change of the first-line treatment or an association could be considered. Some indications justify a specific therapy. Patients with resistant chronic pain should be sent to a specialized centre. New drugs are being studied and non-pharmacological support must be evaluated.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pain Management
/
Analgesics
/
Neuralgia
Limits:
Humans
Language:
Fr
Journal:
Rev Med Interne
Year:
2015
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Francia