title: Is it possible to objectify the visual pain scale?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test our hypothesis that a new modified VAS (mVAS) is superior and more objective than VAS in evaluating pain perception and treatment response between genders who have renal colic pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  The individuals in patient and control groups were first asked to mark the pain perceived during access of IV line (VASIV score). Then the patients with renal colic were asked to mark the pain they experienced before treatment (VASRC score) and at 15 and 30 minutes after the administration of the first analgesic drug. The modified VAS scores (mVAS score) were obtained by subtracting the VASIV score from VASRC score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When VAS was used, the female patients had significantly higher level of pain at 0, 15, and 30(th) minutes than men (p = 0.012, p = 0.001, and p = 0.003, respectively). However, there was not any significant difference at 0 and 30(th) min between sexes while female patients had significantly higher level of pain scores only at 15(th) minute according to mVAS scores (p = 0.027).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We think that the mVAS is superior and more objective than VAS in evaluating pain perception and abolished the difference in the perceived level of pain due to gender.
authors: Mehmet Ergin, MD, EP. Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Meram Medicine School, Konya, Turkey.
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Ergin
authors: Abdullah Sadik Girisgin, MD, EP. Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Meram Medicine School, Konya, Turkey.
authors: Abdullah Sadik
authors: AS
authors: Girisgin
authors: Zerrin Defne Dundar, MD, EP. Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Meram Medicine School, Konya, Turkey.
authors: Zerrin Defne
authors: ZD
authors: Dundar
authors: Goknil Saniye Calik, MD, EP. Konya Education and Research Hospital, Emergency Medicine Department, Konya, Turkey.
authors: Goknil Saniye
authors: GS
authors: Calik
authors: Izzetin Ertas, MD, EP. Resident Assistant, Department of Emergency Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Meram Medicine School, Konya, Turkey.
authors: Izzetin
authors: I
authors: Ertas
authors: Mehmet Taskin Egici, MD, EP. Resident Assistant, Emergency Medicine Department, Sisli Etfal Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Mehmet Taskin
authors: MT
authors: Egici
keywords: Analgesia/pain control; Clinical management; Emergency department management; Renal colic