Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions (DN4): Assessing Pain

The DN4 helps clinicians screen for neuropathic pain using interview questions and simple physical tests. It distinguishes nerve pain from other types to ensure patients receive the right treatment.

Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions (DN4) PDF screening tool for neuropathic pain assessment
DN4

Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions (DN4)

The Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions (DN4) is a screening tool used to identify neuropathic pain. Combining interview questions with physical tests, it helps clinicians differentiate nerve pain from non-neuropathic sources. It’s highly valued for its diagnostic accuracy and speed in clinical settings.

Category

Diagnostic
Sensory
Physical health

Disease

Diagnostics
Assessment
Clinical Care

Source

(Bouhassira et al., 2005)

Author Name

Bouhassira, D., Attal, N., Alchaar, H. et al. (2005)

What is Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions (DN4)

The Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions (DN4) is a handy screening tool that helps clinicians identify neuropathic pain quickly and accurately. This questionnaire splits into four questions covering ten specific items. It mixes a patient interview with a brief bedside physical check to gather a complete picture of symptoms. Patients report sensations like burning, electric shocks, or pins and needles, while the exam checks for numbness or touch sensitivity. Scoring is simple: each 'yes' gets one point, and a total of four or more strongly suggests a neuropathic cause. Since it takes only a few minutes to complete, the DN4 fits easily into busy schedules. You don't need fancy equipment, just a soft brush and a pin. This efficiency makes it a top choice for GPs and specialists who need to spot nerve issues fast, helping guide the right treatment path early on.

DN4 Scoring

The Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions (DN4) can be scored using one simple approach based on ten items. You assign one point for every positive answer across the four questions, which cover ten specific symptoms and signs. These items look at sensations like burning or electric shocks, plus physical exam findings like sensitivity to touch. A no gets zero points. Once you tally the results, the total score ranges from zero to ten. A score of four or higher suggests neuropathic pain is likely involved. It is a handy way to spot nerve pain quickly in clinical settings.

View scoring form

Advantages

Diagnostic accuracy

Enables precise identification of patient health status.

Efficient collection

Streamlines research data gathering process.

User-friendly

Simple to understand and complete for patients.

Treatment planning

Develops personalised strategies based on assessment data.

5
Minutes
4
Questions

Streamline Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions assessments with WeGuide

Simplify neuropathic pain screening. Digitise the DN4 to automate scoring, track symptoms over time, and improve patient outcomes.

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