Outcome of patients with chronic abdominal pain referred to chronic pain clinic.
OBJECTIVE
We determined the outcome of patients with chronic abdominal pain of unknown etiology referred by gastroenterologists to a chronic pain clinic.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review of 43 consecutive patients seen by a university-based gastroenterology group was referred to our Chronic Pain Clinic for evaluation and treatment. Pain character and location, the referring diagnosis, and initial Chronic Pain Clinic diagnosis was compared between responders and nonresponders. Early and long-term pain relief was scored by standard questionnaire.


RESULTS
Of the 43 patients with chronic abdominal pain of undetermined etiology, 70% reported complete or substantial pain relief by the end of chronic pain management. Pain character and location and the referring diagnosis were not predictors of pain relief. Long-term pain relief was reported by 35% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
A substantial group of patients with chronic abdominal pain of unknown etiology benefited from Chronic Pain Clinic services.
Department of Medicine, and Chronic Pain Management Clinic, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, 17033-0850, USA.
T J
TJ
McGarrity
D J
DJ
Peters
C
C
Thompson
S J
SJ
McGarrity
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018710:Pain Clinics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome