Comparison of pain quality descriptors in cancer patients with nociceptive and neuropathic pain.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to explore the differences in the descriptors for neuropathic and nociceptive pain in cancer patients.


METHODS
One hundred and eighty-six cancer patients who participated in the study completed the Greek version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (G-MPQ) for the assessment of their pain quality.


RESULTS
Significant differences were found between type of pain in all G-MPQ classes. Statistically significant associations were found between Present Pain Intensity and type of pain (p = 0.002). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that patients who selected the descriptors "pricking" and "annoying" were 2.64 times and 2.2 times, respectively, more likely to experience nociceptive rather than neuropathic pain (p = 0.020 and p = 0.015, respectively). Further analysis showed that sensory seemed to be the most significant indicator for type of pain (95%, CI: 0.911-0.974, p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Sensory quality and some of pain descriptors may differentiate neuropathic from nociceptive pain in cancer patients.
Mystakidou
Kyriaki
K
Pain Relief and Palliative Care Unit, Deptartment of Radiology, Areteion Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Korinthias St., Athens, Greece. mistakidou@yahoo.com
Parpa
Efi
E
Tsilika
Eleni
E
Pathiaki
Maria
M
Galanos
Antonis
A
Vlahos
Lambros
L
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires