Comparison of multiple against single pain intensity measurements in complex regional pain syndrome type I: analysis of 54 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the comparison of multiple and single pain ratings in patients with complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS I).


METHODS
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.


METHODS
The patient population consisted of 54 patients with CRPS I in a randomized trial.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Forouzanfar
Tymour
T
Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Management and Research Center, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands. TFOR@sane.azm.nl
Kemler
Marius
M
Kessels
Alfons G H
AG
Köke
Albere J A
AJ
van Kleef
Maarten
M
Weber
Wilhelm E J
WE
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012955:Societies, Medical; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome