CRPS Multi site Validation Study:
- Interobserver reliability using the Budapest criteria

A gold standard for the diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is
lacking, and therefore the diagnosis is based on the presence of clinical signs
and symptoms. The criteria that are used most often worldwide are those of the
International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), in the Netherlands the
criteria by Veldman et al. are most often used. In order to obtain more
uniformity in CRPS diagnosis, generally accepted criteria are necessary. the
IASP criteria have been criticized for their lack of specificity, leading to
overdiagnosis and heterogeneous patient populations. Although the Dutch
criteria appear to be more specific, they are not accepted internationally.
Previous research has shown that sings and symptoms of CRPS can be categorized
into four independent groups. Revised diagnostic criteria have been proposed
based on these four groups (in the "Budapest" conference), which appear to have
a better balance of diagnostic sensitivity and specificity than the IASP
criteria. The formal adoption by the IASP oif these revised criteria
necessitates further validation.
The current proposal concerns aims to determine the reliability of the
proposed new diagnostic criteria for CRPS. The objective is to enrol 50 CRPS
patients for determining the interrater reliability of the diagnostic set.
Primary outcome measures are occurrence of certain signs and symptoms.
Secondary outcome measures include pain. quality of life and neurophysiological
parameters. Time investment for patients is approximately 2 hours. There are no
risks involved for participants

To dermine the reliability of the newly proposed diagnsotic criteria.

Observational design

In total the investigations will take maximally 2 hours per patient. No risks
are involved in participating.