Occurrence, Characteristics, and Predictors of Pain in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Few studies have provided a detailed characterization of pain in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aims of this cross-sectional study were to describe the occurrence, intensity, locations, and level of interference associated with pain, as well as pain relief; to identify differences in demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics between COPD patients with and without pain; and to determine which demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics were associated with average pain, worst pain, and pain interference. A total of 258 patients with COPD provided information on demographic characteristics; comorbidities; respiratory parameters including dyspnea; body mass index; and symptom characteristics (i.e., anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, and fatigue). Pain was measured using the Brief Pain Inventory. Of these 258 COPD patients, 157 (61%) reported pain. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine which demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics were associated with average pain severity, worst pain severity, and mean pain interference. Lower stages of COPD were associated with higher worst pain and higher pain interference scores. Higher depression scores were associated with higher average pain and higher pain interference scores. In addition, higher number of pain locations was associated with higher average and higher worst pain severity scores. Findings from this study confirm that pain is a significant problem and highlights the need for specific pain management interventions for patients with COPD. More research is needed about specific pain characteristics and symptoms to gain an increased knowledge about the causes of pain in these patients.
Centre for Shared Decision Making and Collaborative Care Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: v.l.christensen@medisin.uio.no.
Vivi Lycke
VL
Christensen
Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
Are Martin
AM
Holm
Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
Johny
J
Kongerud
Department of Health Studies, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.
Signe Berit
SB
Bentsen
Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, California.
Steven M
SM
Paul
Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, California.
Christine
C
Miaskowski
Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Department of Research and Development, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Department of Nursing Science, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Tone
T
Rustøen
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires