TheCoexistenceofNeuropathicPain,Sleep,andPsychiatricDisordersANovelTreatmentApproachCharlesE
Argoff,MD*wAbstract:Thediagnosisandtreatmentofneuropathicpainmaybecomplicatedbycomorbidconditionssuchassleepdistur-bances,depression,andanxiety
Theinterrelationshipbetweentheindexneuropathicpainstateandthesecomorbiditiesiscomplex:comorbidconditionsexacerbatepain,andinturn,painexacerbatesthecomorbidconditions
Becausecomorbid-itiescannegativelyimpactresponsetopaintreatment,healthcareprovidersshouldassesscomorbiditiesaspartofthediagnosticwork-up,andmanagementstrategiesshouldbedesignedtotreatthewholepatient,notjustthepain
Theoretically,therapiesthatnotonlyreducepain,butalsoimprovesleepandreduceanxietyanddepressioncanprovidemultiplebenefitswithouttheriskofincreasedsideeffectsinherentincombinationtherapy