OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of 8% capsaicin patch on change in ”usual pain” using a modified PNRS (Pain Numeric Rating Scale). A secondary objective was to examine utility scores assessed by the EQ-5D-3L. METHODS: Adult patients diagnosed with peripheral neuropathic pain (excluding diabetic polyneuropathy) were included. Each patient was eligible to receive up to two treatments. Parameters: PNRS, patient’s pain intensity over the past 24 hours: usual, highest, lowest and right now EQ-5D-3L Size of treated area RESULTS: A total of 412 patients were included, 382 patients completed first treatment period, 266 with partial peripheral nerve injury; 51 with post herpetic neuralgia (PHN); 19 with polyneuropathy and 46 with other painful neuropathies. Fifty-nine percent were women, mean age was 53 years (range 18–88). A total of 184 patients were given a re-treatment and 181 patients completed the re-treatment period. PNRS: Usual pain intensity over the past 24 hours (maximum pain reduction at any time point) decreased from 6.3 to 4.4 (p <0.001) and at re-treatment from 6.3 to 5.0 (p <0.001). Mean EQ-5D health score was 0.33 (SD 0.32) at baseline (range -0.38-1.00). During the post-treatment period the mean change was 0.25 (SD 0.29), (p <0.001). At baseline, 58% of all patients reported “Extreme Problem” in the pain/discomfort dimension and corresponding figures for the post-treatment period was 38%. Mean EQ-5D health score was 0.54 (SD 0.32) at start of re-treatment (range -0.26-1.00). During the post-re-treatment period the mean change was 0.17 (SD 0.28 (p <0.001). The area treated had at baseline a median size of 180 cm2 and at re-treatment 160 cm2. CONCLUSIONS: In this population of patients with peripheral neuropathic pain and a markedly reduced QoL, treatment of capsaicin 8% significantly reduced patients’ experience of “usual pain” and improved short-term HRQoL evaluated by EQ-5D-3L.