Standards for the diagnosis and management of complex regional pain syndrome: Results of a European Pain Federation task force
EFIC · 2019 · Europe
Source and licence
- Authors
- Andreas Goebel, Chris Barker, Frank Birklein et al.
- Title
- Standards for the diagnosis and management of complex regional pain syndrome: Results of a European Pain Federation task force
- Journal
- European Journal of Pain (London, England), 2019
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Changes
- Verbatim excerpts; formatting adapted
Full text retrieved 2026-10-27 from Europe PMC · PMC6593444
Licence statement of the original publication
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Open the original publication →Full text on Europe PMC
Recommendations
We found no explicitly labelled recommendations in this publication; its recommendations are in the running text of the original.
Abstract
Background: Complex regional pain syndrome is a painful and disabling post‐traumatic primary pain disorder. Acute and chronic complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) are major clinical challenges. In Europe, progress is hampered by significant heterogeneity in clinical practice. We sought to establish standards for the diagnosis and management of CRPS.
Methods: The European Pain Federation established a pan‐European task force of experts in CRPS who followed a four‐stage consensus challenge process to produce mandatory quality standards worded as grammatically imperative (must‐do) statements.
Results: We developed 17 standards in 8 areas of care. There are 2 standards in diagnosis, 1 in multidisciplinary care, 1 in assessment, 3 for care pathways, 1 in information and education, 4 in pain management, 3 in physical rehabilitation and 2 on distress management. The standards are presented and summarized, and their generation and consequences were discussed. Also presented are domains of practice for which no agreement on a standard could be reached. Areas of research needed to improve the validity and uptake of these standards are discussed.
Conclusion: The European Pain Federation task force present 17 standards of the diagnosis and management of CRPS for use in Europe. These are considered achievable for most countries and aspirational for a minority of countries depending on their healthcare resource and structures.
Significance: This position statement summarizes expert opinion on acceptable standards for CRPS care in Europe.
Contents of the original publication
The section headings of the original.
- INTRODUCTION
- METHODS
- RESULTS
- The diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome
- The management and referral of patients with CRPS
- Prevention
- Patient information and education
- Pain management—medication and procedures
- Physical and vocational rehabilitation
- Identifying and treating distress
- Long‐term care
- DISCUSSION
- Supporting information
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