AAAPT Diagnostic Criteria for Acute Neuropathic Pain

Tina L Doshi; Robert H Dworkin; Rosemary C Polomano; Daniel B Carr; Robert R Edwards; Nanna B Finnerup; Roy L Freeman; Judith A Paice; Steven J Weisman; Srinivasa N Raja

doi:10.1093/pm/pnaa407

AAAPT Diagnostic Criteria for Acute Neuropathic Pain

Pain Med. 2021 Mar 18;22(3):616-636. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnaa407.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Division of Pain Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
² Department of Anesthesiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, and Department of Neurology, Center for Human Experimental Therapeutics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA.
³ Division of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, University of Pennsylvania-School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
⁴ Public Health and Community Medicine Program, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
⁵ Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
⁶ Danish Pain Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, and Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
⁷ Center for Autonomic and Peripheral Nerve Disorders, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
⁸ Cancer Pain Program, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
⁹ Jane B. Pettit Pain and Headache Center, Children's Wisconsin, Departments of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.

PMID: 33575803
DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnaa407

Abstract

Objective: Acute neuropathic pain is a significant diagnostic challenge, and it is closely related to our understanding of both acute pain and neuropathic pain. Diagnostic criteria for acute neuropathic pain should reflect our mechanistic understanding and provide a framework for research on and treatment of these complex pain conditions.

Methods: The Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations, Innovations, Opportunities, and Networks (ACTTION) public-private partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American Pain Society (APS), and the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) collaborated to develop the ACTTION-APS-AAPM Pain Taxonomy (AAAPT) for acute pain. A working group of experts in research and clinical management of neuropathic pain was convened. Group members used literature review and expert opinion to develop diagnostic criteria for acute neuropathic pain, as well as three specific examples of acute neuropathic pain conditions, using the five dimensions of the AAAPT classification of acute pain.

Results: AAAPT diagnostic criteria for acute neuropathic pain are presented. Application of these criteria to three specific conditions (pain related to herpes zoster, chemotherapy, and limb amputation) illustrates the spectrum of acute neuropathic pain and highlights unique features of each condition.

Conclusions: The proposed AAAPT diagnostic criteria for acute neuropathic pain can be applied to various acute neuropathic pain conditions. Both the general and condition-specific criteria may guide future research, assessment, and management of acute neuropathic pain.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Acute Pain* / diagnosis
Humans
Neuralgia* / diagnosis
Pain Measurement
Public-Private Sector Partnerships
United States
United States Food and Drug Administration