When a patient with Parkinson's disease develops pain that is nociceptive in character — and a neuropathic origin has been excluded — a structured, stepwise analgesic approach is indicated. Correct pain classification is the key clinical decision that determines the pathway.
This protocol applies to patients with Parkinson's disease who have nociceptive pain, where neuropathic pain has been ruled out. The distinction between nociceptive and neuropathic pain drives the choice of analgesic strategy.
Nociceptive pain in this setting is managed using the WHO analgesic ladder. The protocol is positioned at a specific step of that ladder, involving a defined category of analgesic agents.
Nociceptive pain should be treated according to the 3-step WHO scheme.
DOI: 10.1186/s42466-024-00325-4
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