Neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain (NeuP) is defined by the International Study for the Association of Pain (IASP) as 'pain arising as a direct consequence of a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system'. This chapter begins with a discussion of the common characteristics and causes of NeuP, common neuropathic pain conditions, and treatment challenges. It then turns to the population prevalence of NeuP, descriptive epidemiology of neuropathic pain, public health implications, risk factors, and prevention.