Diagnose-tool for CRPS

Diagnosis tool for CRPS

For the diagnostics of CRPS I, multiple sets of clinical diagnostic criteria have been described. For the Dutch clinical situation, the CBO guideline ¹ recommends using the criteria according to Veldman et al ². However, internationally the criteria according to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) ³ are being used.

In the meantime, new diagnostic criteria have been developed on the basis of the existing criteria; these new criteria are more sensitive and specific than the original IASP criteria. These so-called “Budapest criteria” probably will become the new international standard for diagnosing CRPS I.

If you want to know whether the complaints of your patient correspond with one of the above-mentioned sets of diagnostic criteria you can fill out one of the lists of questions presented below.

- Criteria according to Budapest
- Criteria according to the IASP-Orlando
- Criteria according to Veldman et al.

Criteria according to Budapest

Does the patient have continuing pain and is this pain disproportionate to any inciting event (for example primary trauma or operation)? Yes No
Which of the following symptoms does the patient report? hyperesthesia allodynia temperature asymmetry skin color changes skin color asymmetry edema sweating changes sweating asymmetry decreased range of motion dysfunction motor dysfunction (weakness and/or tremor, and/or dystonia) trophic changes (in hair and/or nail and/or skin)
Which of the following symptoms did you observe in your patient? hyperalgesia (to pinprick) allodynia (to touch, and/or deep somatic pressure, and/or joint movement) temperature asymmetry skin color changes skin color asymmetry edema sweating changes sweating asymmetry decreased range of motion motor dysfunction (weakness and/or tremor, and/or dystonia) trophic changes (in hair and/or nail and/or skin)
Are there other diagnoses that better explain the exhibited signs and symptoms? Yes No

¹http://www.cbo.nl/product/richtlijnen/folder20021023121843/rl_crps_2006.pdf/view
² Veldman PH, Reynen HM, Arntz IE, Goris RJ. Signs and symptoms of reflex sympathetic dystrophy: prospective study of 829 patients. Lancet 1993 Oct 23;342(8878):1012-6.
³ Merskey K, Bogduk N. Classification of Chronic Pain: Descriptions of Chronic Pain Syndromes and Definitions of Pain Terms. Seattle: 1994.

Disclaimer
Take care! This diagnosis instrument is only meant as a tool for physicians and should be based on adequate clinical assessment. The instrument should not be used as a replacement for consulting a physician. Use of this instrument is at the user’s own risk. Damage and warranty claims arising from missing or incorrect data are excluded. No responsibility or liability for damage of any kind, also for indirect or consequential damages resulting from use of this instrument is accepted.