Dolor neuropático, clasificación y estrategias de manejo para médicos generales

SummaryNeuropathic pain (NP) arising as a direct consequence of a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system, is an important public health problem and a common, chronic, debilitating condition that affects a signifi cant number of patients. The presence of NP is suggested by the clinical history and physical examination, revealing a location of pain that is neuroanatomically logical, with evidence of damage to the nervous system. The primary care physicians have a crucial role in the diagnosis of possible NP, avoid delays in diagnosis and provide appropriate assessment, management and / or referral to the appropriate specialist to improve outcomes, reduce the human costs to patients, relieving pain and subsequent disability and economic costs to society. We must therefore educate general practitioners in the detection, diagnosis and initial management of NP