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BMC Primary Care
Published in: BMC Primary Care 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research

Tests for central sensitization in general practice: a Delphi study

Authors: Carine den Boer, Berend Terluin, Johannes C. van der Wouden, Annette H. Blankenstein, Henriëtte E. van der Horst

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Introduction

Central sensitization (CS) may explain the persistence of symptoms in patients with chronic pain and persistent physical symptoms (PPS). There is a need for assessing CS in the consultation room. In a recently published systematic review, we made an inventory of tests for CS. In this study we aimed to assess which tests might have added value, might be feasible and thus be suitable for use in general practice.

Methods

We conducted a Delphi study consisting of two e-mail rounds to reach consensus among experts in chronic pain and PPS. We invited 40 national and international experts on chronic pain and PPS, 27 agreed to participate. We selected 12 tests from our systematic review and additional searches; panellists added three more tests in the first round. We asked the panellists, both clinicians and researchers, to rate these 15 tests on technical feasibility for use in general practice, added value and to provide an overall judgement for suitability in general practice.

Results

In two rounds the panellists reached consensus on 14 of the 15 tests: three were included, eleven excluded. Included were the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI), pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) and monofilaments. No consensus was reached on the Sensory Hypersensitivity Scale.

Conclusion

In a Delphi study among an international panel of experts, three tests for measuring CS were considered to be suitable for use in general practice: the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI), pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) and monofilaments.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Tests for central sensitization in general practice: a Delphi study
Authors
Carine den Boer
Berend Terluin
Johannes C. van der Wouden
Annette H. Blankenstein
Henriëtte E. van der Horst
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-021-01539-0

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