The Clinical Journal of Pain. 18(4):234-237, JUL 2002
PMID: 12131064
Issn Print: 0749-8047
Publication Date: 2002/07/01
Comparison of Multiple Against Single Pain Intensity Measurements in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I: Analysis of 54 Patients
Tymour Forouzanfar;Marius Kemler;Alfons Kessels;Albere Köke;Maarten van Kleef;Wilhelm Weber;
+ Author Information
Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Management and Research Center, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Abstract
To describe the comparison of multiple and single pain ratings in patients with complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS I).Correlation, agreement, and reliability analyses were performed between the average pain intensity measured 3 times a day over a course of 4 days and one single pain rating (designated the “recalled average” pain, as assessed by the patient) before treatment and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month periods after treatment.The patient population consisted of 54 patients with CRPS I in a randomized trial.The results show that both measurements correlate and have excellent agreement. Furthermore, both ratings measure significant pain reduction after treatment; “recalled average” pain, however, reflects greater change in pain intensity.In patients with CRPS I a single pain rating is an accurate predictor of the average pain measured by a multiple pain-rating test. Moreover, both assessments are accurate enough to determine changes in pain over time with an effective treatment.
