DN4 Neuropathic Pain Calculator

DN4 Neuropathic Pain Calculator for Pain Management. A positive screen supports further clinical assessment; it neither names a nerve lesion nor quantifies pain intensity. A negative result does not exclude neuropathic pain, especially outside the original validation context.

For shared guidance on choosing a tool and documenting results, read the clinical calculator workflow.

How this calculator works

The primary DN4 study is Bouhassira and colleagues, 2005: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15733628/. The professional-society form documents the full ten-item range and positive threshold at four: https://www.sfetd-douleur.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/dn4ok.pdf. This page reproduces no questions or examination instructions.

When to use this calculator

Review a completed screening result when considering a neuropathic component. Distinguish the full version from interview-only variants and retain the assessed painful region.

Inputs used

  • Complete clinician-administered full DN4 total, integer 0-10
  • Confirmation that the examination portion was completed

Clinical interpretation

A positive screen supports further clinical assessment; it neither names a nerve lesion nor quantifies pain intensity. A negative result does not exclude neuropathic pain, especially outside the original validation context.

Worked example

A complete full-DN4 total of 4 meets the screening threshold; 3 does not. But a report of “3” with the examination omitted is incomplete, not a valid full-DN4 negative screen. Both the number and completion status matter.

Limitations and safety notes

The society form’s footer contains bibliographic details that differ from the verified 2005 development paper; the primary identity is cited separately here. Licensing for reproducing the full form was not established. No drug selection follows from the total.

Frequently asked questions

Is 8 twice as much pain as 4?

No. DN4 addresses features relevant to a neuropathic component, not a linear measure of pain intensity or the extent of nerve damage.

References

  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15733628/
  • https://www.sfetd-douleur.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/dn4ok.pdf

Editorial review and citation methodology

Maintained by the Quick Medical Calculator Editorial Team. Content record date: September 9, 2026. A content date is not evidence of independent clinical review. Individual clinical sign-off is not recorded on this page.

  • Prefer original validation studies for scoring systems and prediction tools.
  • Use current specialty society guidance, transplant allocation policy, public health guidance, or regulator resources when they govern clinical use.
  • Include limitations and safety notes when a calculator is population-specific, context-dependent, or unsuitable as a standalone decision tool.

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