| Quantitative sensory testing | |
|---|---|
 Tuning forks are used to determine vibration detection thresholds. | |
| Specialty | Neurology |
Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is a panel of diagnostic tests used to assess somatosensory function, in the context of research and as a supplemental tool in the diagnosis of somatosensory disorders, including pain insensitivity, painless and painful neuropathy. The panel of tests examine a broad range of different sensations, including hot, cold, touch, vibration. It has both positive and negative tests (can test for increased or reduced sensitivity). QST reflects a formalisation of existing neurological tests into a standardised battery designed to detect subtle changes in sensory function.[1] Large datasets representing normal responses to sensory tests have been established to quantitate deviation from the mean and allow comparison with normal patients. It is thought that a detailed evaluation of somatosensory function may be useful in identifying subtypes of pain and as a potential tool to identify asymptomatic neuropathy,[2] which may represent up to 50% of total people with neuropathy (or loss of the nerve fibres). In clinical use, it is often combined with other tests such as clinical electrophysiology.[3] In research settings it is increasingly applied in combination with advanced imaging such as fMRI, epidermis "nerve" biopsies and microneurography to classify subtypes of painful disorders.[4]
- ^ Rolke R, Baron R, Maier C, Tölle TR, Treede RD, Beyer A, et al. (August 2006). "Quantitative sensory testing in the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain (DFNS): standardized protocol and reference values". Pain. 123 (3): 231–43. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2006.01.041. PMID 16697110. S2CID 44333.
- ^ Devigili G, Rinaldo S, Lombardi R, Cazzato D, Marchi M, Salvi E, et al. (December 2019). "Diagnostic criteria for small fibre neuropathy in clinical practice and research". Brain. 142 (12): 3728–3736. doi:10.1093/brain/awz333. PMC 6906595. PMID 31665231.
- ^ Mendell JR, Sahenk Z (March 2003). "Clinical practice. Painful sensory neuropathy". The New England Journal of Medicine. 348 (13): 1243–55. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp022282. PMID 12660389.
- ^ Bannister K, Sachau J, Baron R, Dickenson AH (January 2020). "Neuropathic Pain: Mechanism-Based Therapeutics". Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology. 60: 257–274. doi:10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010818-021524. PMID 31914896. S2CID 210119772.