Revised definition of pain by ‘International Association for the Study of Pain’: Concepts, challenges and compromises

Abstract

A new definition of pain has been formalized and adopted by International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) in January 2020, which states that pain is “An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with or resembling that associated with actual or potential tissue damage”. It has been a result of a number of feedbacks from the pain physicians from around the world about their dissatisfaction about the previous definition.

In this editorial the author endeavors to give his perspective on the concept of this definition, along with compromises made while incorporating this definition and challenges for future in the revising and updating it. But we must also acknowledge that this definition is a step in the right direction for considering pain as a disease, a standalone health condition, and not only a symptom.

Key words: Pain, concepts; Challenges; Pain, definition; IASP; Terminology

Citation: Malik NA Revised definition of pain by ‘International Association for the Study of Pain’: Concepts, challenges and compromises. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2020;24(5):481-483

Received: 20 June 2020, Reviewed: 24, 28 June 2020, Accepted: 1 July 2020