OBJECTIVES: Economic modelling of analgesics for chronic pain (including the chronic pain sub-populations of musculoskeletal, neuropathic and malignant pain) is well established but characterised by methodological heterogeneity. The methods used to model pain vary substantially between and within the sub-populations and this variability inhibits comparability across the evidence base. This research aims to facilitate increased consensus for future development of pain models, by summarising existing published economic models and identifying key model characteristics. METHODS: A systematic search and methodological review of published economic models of therapies in chronic pain was performed. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Health Technology Assessment, NHS Economic Evaluation Database and EconLit were accessed in April 2014 and, from studies that met the inclusion criteria, key methodological data were extracted and analysed. RESULTS: Thirty-four studies were included in the final review. From these, eighteen original model structures were identified. Outcomes considered alongside analgesic effect varied substantially across studies. Assumptions were used to model multiple treatment lines in eleven model structures. Only three models used a time horizon greater than one year. The inclusion of the costs of adverse events was common (eleven models) but less prevalent in neuropathic pain models than for other chronic pain states. Finally the majority of models (eleven) used a Markov structure but four of ten neuropathic pain models used decision trees. CONCLUSIONS: Some methodological similarities can be identified when considering economic modelling within sub-populations in particular neuropathic pain. However, there is scope for further consensus in the key design attributes of pain models, in particular the choice of secondary outcomes. Further research is required to identify the strengths, weaknesses and complexities of the key modelling choices. FUNDING STATEMENT: This research was funded by Mundipharma International Limited