Medicinska znanost bitno je napredovala u pitanjima kontrole boli, ali taj napredak ne prati i napredak u objektivnim metodama mjerenja boli, prema principima medicine temeljene na dokazima. Bol je kompleksno iskustvo koje, osim senzornih, uključuje i emocionalne faktore. Preduvjet zadovoljavajućeg lij ečenja boli dobra je procjena karaktera i intenziteta boli. Orofacij alna neuropatska bol izaziva veliku patnju oboljelih, a mogućnosti lij ečenja ograničene su iz više razloga. Provedenim istraživanjem željelo se utvrditi stupanj prepoznavanja neuropatske boli kao specifi čnoga kliničkog entiteta. Kvalitativna svojstva boli vrednovana su Leedskim upitnikom neuropatskih simptoma i znakova (LANSS), a kvantitativna svojstva pomoću vizualno analogne ljestvice (VAS). Rezultati su pokazali da se neuropatska orofacij alna bol kvalitativno jasno razlikuje od ostalih tipova boli. Upotrebom standardiziranih upitnika bol se može kvantifi cirati i uspoređivati. Želja nam je da rezultati istraživanja utječu na svjesnost stručne i znanstvene javnosti o kroničnoj neuropatskoj boli kao devastirajućoj bolesti koja uzrokuje veliku patnju oboljelih te da posluže kao poticaj za daljnja istraživanja, ali i kao pomoć radi usklađivanja algoritama lij ečenja koje donose stručna društva i smjernica za propisivanje lijekova Hrvatskog zavoda za zdravstveno osiguranje.Medical science has signifi cantly improved regarding pain control issues, yet this improvement has not been accompanied by improvement regarding objective methods of pain measurement according to the principles of evidence-based medicine. Pain is a complex experience, which, except for sensor factors, includes the emotional ones as well. A prerequisite for adequate pain treatment is proper assessment of pain character and intensity. Orofacial neuropathic pain causes serious suff ering in patients, while due to a number of reasons, treatment options are limited. The objective of the conducted research was to determine the level of recognition of neuropathic pain as a specifi c clinical entity. The qualitative features of pain are evaluated based on the Leeds Pain Scale (LANSS), and the quantitative features thereof on the basis of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results have shown that in the qualitative respect, neuropathic orofacial pain clearly diff ers from other types of pain. By using standardised questionnaires, pain may be quantifi ed and compared. It is wished for the research results to raise the awareness of the professional and academic public regarding chronic neuropathic pain as a devastating disease causing serious suff ering in patients, and to serve as an impetus for further research. They should furthermore serve as help in harmonising treatment algorithms issued by expert societies, as well as guidelines for prescribing medications by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund
