NEUROPATHIC PAIN AS A CHALLENGING CLINICAL ENTITY IN OLDER ADULTS

Abstract

Neuropathic pain is a challenging clinical entity in older adults. Certain clinical conditions such as diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular diseases and infections may lead to neuropathic pain in the elderly. Recognizing neuropathic pain is essential for proper management. Neuropathic pain can be related to either peripheral or central conditions. A lesion or disease of the somatosensory system is required to define neuropathic pain. The assessment of neuropathic pain includes anamnesis, detailed physical examination, screening tools/questionnaires, quantitative sensory testing, and objective methods such as electroneuromyography, skin biopsy, and corneal confocal microscopy.  The aim of this article was to review common neuropathic pain conditions in older adults and to provide an overview on the assessment tools.