Neuropathic Pain
A new global survey conducted in seven countries shows that effective communication between doctor and patient is the key for establishing an early diagnosis and treatment and appropriate for patients with neuropathic pain (DNEP).
The DNEP is a debilitating condition characterized by severe pain, relentless and chronic damage caused by the nervous system and is often a complication of common conditions such as diabetes, herpes, cancer, HIV, multiple sclerosis, stroke, traumatic injury or surgery.
The survey results released in Mexico by the Neuropathic Pain Network (NPN), a coalition of international support for patients, showed that Mexican patients sometimes wait up to 19 months to get an accurate diagnosis.
Identifying neuropathic pain is usually a long and difficult process. According to the survey, patients in Mexico expect approximately 14 months between first symptoms and first visit. After consulting a doctor about your pain, it can take up on average 18.9 months between the first visit to the doctor and the diagnosis of DNEP, the second longest duration among the countries surveyed.
Despite the time, Mexico was the only country where the vast majority of doctors, particularly general DNEP reported that it is easy to recognize. The discrepancy between the patient's experience and perceptions of physician indicates that better communication is needed.
One reason for the delay in identifying the DNEP is limited or ineffective communication. The survey found that it is more likely that physicians who recognize the DNEP review three key areas during the consultation. Doctors who do not base their diagnosis on these three key areas are more likely not to recognize the patient's condition as DNEP.
- Characteristics of symptoms: To determine the intensity and duration, describe how he feels the pain with specific adjectives (eg "pins and needles," "burning," "stabbing," "numb," or "like electrical shocks").
- Medical History: Share all medical history, the DNEP may be a complication of diabetes, herpes, cancer, HIV, traumatic injury or surgery.
- Location of pain in the body, explain where you feel pain.
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