Oncology Medical News about Pain Descriptors; Cancer Patients

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The use of pain descriptors in cancer patients
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 07/14/09

Holtan A et al. - In a study to identify typical pain descriptors used by Norwegian cancer pats and possible relationships among these verbal descriptors, pain intensity, and quality of pain, it was concluded that Norwegian cancer pts effortlessly use several pain descriptors, and “aching” is most frequently used. Although the verbal descriptors provide valuable information regarding the pain experience, it is not possible to differentiate pain mechanisms simply based on pain descriptors.

Methods

A 1-day prevalence study targeting hospitalized cancer pts in Norway was performed.
A questionnaire based on the Brief Pain Inventory was used, and additional information regarding pain descriptors and changes in skin sensibility was included.

Results

Of the 453 included pts, 97% managed to describe their pain with 1 of the 12 descriptors available.
Aching was the single most frequently used descriptor (n=271).
201 pts reported altered skin sensibility in the area of pain.
The descriptor “piercing” and the numbers of descriptors used by each pt were significantly related to high pain intensity.
No clear clustering was found between the descriptors, but typical neuropathic descriptors were significantly correlated with altered skin sensibility.

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