Assessing the Validity and Reliability of the DN4 Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire: A Systematic Review
| Author | Seyed Pezhman Madani | en |
| Author | Masumeh Bagherzadeh Cham | en |
| Author | Simin Sajadi | en |
| Author | Korosh Mansouri | en |
| Author | Nariman Samadaeian | en |
| Author | Naser Zare | en |
| Orcid | Seyed Pezhman Madani [0000-0002-5442-2933] | en |
| Orcid | Masumeh Bagherzadeh Cham [0000-0002-2781-5387] | en |
| Orcid | Simin Sajadi [0000-0002-0920-5518] | en |
| Orcid | Korosh Mansouri [0000-0003-1503-0010] | en |
| Issued Date | 2025-03-31 | en |
| Abstract | Context: Neuropathic pain, affecting 3% to 17% of the population, accounts for over 50% of referrals to pain clinics. To streamline the diagnostic process, screening questionnaires such as the DN4 have been recommended by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the validity and reliability of the DN4 Questionnaire, translated into multiple languages, for screening and differentiating neuropathic pain from other types of pain. Evidence Acquisition: A comprehensive search was conducted across various databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Knowledge, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Cochrane, IranDoc, Magiran, and IranMedex, using the keywords "Neuropathic pain", "DN4", "Validity", "Reliability", "Sensitivity", and "Specificity". Two researchers independently assessed studies based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria and extracted relevant data. Results: We reviewed 22 studies involving 4,830 patients experiencing different types of pain. Of these patients, 3,118 were definitively diagnosed with neuropathic pain. The average age of participants ranged from 48.2 to 66.2 years. The studies reported a sensitivity of 82% (range, 71% - 100%), specificity of 76.1% (range, 42% - 97.1%), internal consistency of 0.72 (range, 0.57 - 0.97), test-retest repeatability of 0.89 (range, 0.81 - 0.99), and an area under the curve of 0.89 (range, 0.6 - 0.98). Additionally, 77% of the studies reported that the optimal cut point was ≥ 4. Conclusions: The DN4 Questionnaire, when translated into various languages, has demonstrated acceptable evaluation measurement properties based on research findings. However, it should be noted that due to insufficient sample size, inappropriate methodology, and the failure to consider combined pain, the satisfaction results are not definitive and may not accurately reflect the true effectiveness of the questionnaire. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/amh-154462 | en |
| Keyword | Neuropathic Pain | en |
| Keyword | Validity | en |
| Keyword | Reliability | en |
| Keyword | Sensitivity | en |
| Keyword | Specificity | en |
| Keyword | Questionnaires | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Assessing the Validity and Reliability of the DN4 Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire: A Systematic Review | en |
| Type | Systematic Review | en |
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