Accuracy of the painDETECT screening questionnaire for detection of neuropathic components in hospital-based patients with orofacial pain: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundBetter tools are required for the earlier identification and management of orofacial pain with different aetiologies. The painDETECT questionnaire is a patient-completed screening tool with utility for identification of neuropathic pain in a range of contexts. 254 patients, referred from primary care for management of orofacial pain and attending a secondary care centre, were prospectively recruited, and completed the painDETECT prior to consultation. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of the painDETECT to detect neuropathic components of orofacial pain, when compared to a reference standard of clinical diagnosis by experienced physicians, in a cohort of hospital-based patients.ResultsFor the 251 patients included in the analysis, the painDETECT had a modest ability to detect neuropathic components of orofacial pain (AUROC, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.58–0.70; p = 0.001). Patients with orofacial pain diagnoses associated with neuropathic components had higher painDETECT scores than those with non-neuropathic components. However, the painDETECT was weaker at distinguishing patients with mixed pain types, and multiple diagnoses were associated with poor accuracy of the painDETECT.ConclusionIn secondary care settings, the painDETECT performed modestly at identifying neuropathic components, and underestimates the complexity of orofacial pain in its mixed presentations and with multiple diagnoses. Prior to clinical applications or research use, the painDETECT and other generic screening tools must be adapted and revalidated for orofacial pain patients, and separately in primary care, where orofacial pain is considerably less common.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s10194-018-0932-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Sensory-Discriminative Three-Dimensional Body Pain Mobile App Measures Versus Traditional Pain Measurement With a Visual Analog Scale: Validation Study

“…Another study explored the accuracy of the questionnaire painDETECT to detect neuropathic components of orofacial pain when compared with a reference standard of clinical diagnosis. According to the results of that study, painDETECT, as well as other generic screening tools, must be adapted and revalidated specifically for orofacial pain patients [ 26 ]. Our results reinforce the need for more detailed and intuitive scoring of 3D pain area and intensity combined, even within body subregions such as GeoPain’s PAINS, which provides a better assessment of the sensory-discriminative pain severity status quo in real time.…”

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“…The results of previous studies on the validity and accuracy of PD-Q in assessing neuropathic pain and post-traumatic trigeminal nerve injuries and distinguishing these conditions from non-neuropathic pain are variable. PD-Q has the potential to assist in triage of patients [26].…”

Protocol for mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement (MORE) in the management of lumbosacral radiculopathy/radiculitis symptoms: A randomized controlled trial

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