Using a worst pain intensity measure in children and adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To explore inconsistencies and the reliability in worst pain intensity ratings in children.


BACKGROUND
Asking for worst pain always requires a retrospective evaluation which is controversially discussed.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of registry data and a prospective study.


METHODS
Retrospective study: 5970 patients [age: 10·2(4·0) years, female: 41% data collection: 2008-2015]; Prospective study: 240 patients [age: 14·7(1·9) years, female: 43%, data collection 2013-2014] were included. In both studies, the number of implausible pain intensity ratings was calculated (both studies: worst pain lower than movement pain or pain at rest, prospective study: number of patients reporting lower pain intensity ratings in worst pain items for the same time period in a second assessment). Test-retest reliability was calculated for the prospective study. Changes in worst pain ratings were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed ranks test.


RESULTS
Test-retest reliability ranged from ρ = 0·77-0·90. In the retrospective study, 8·9% (95%CI: 8·2-9·6%) of our patients reported higher movement and/or pain at rest compared with worst pain. In the prospective study, 35·8% (95%CI: 30·0-42·1%) reported higher activity pain ratings compared with worst pain ratings in at least one pain assessment; 13·8% of the pediatric patients reported lower pain intensity ratings in worst pain items in a second assessment compared with the first assessment.


CONCLUSIONS
Nine to 36% of our patients showed inconsistent worst pain ratings. To overcome this problem, more specific pain intensity items, more than one item or a better instruction for pediatric patients could be used.
Institute for Medical Informatics Statistics and Documentation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Alexander
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1084-5763
A
Avian
Division of Anesthesiology for Cardiovascular Surgery and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Brigitte
B
Messerer
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Jena University Hospital, Germany.
Winfried
W
Meissner
Division of Anesthesiology for Cardiovascular Surgery and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Andreas
A
Sandner-Kiesling
Institute for Medical Informatics Statistics and Documentation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Julian
J
Kammel
Division of Anesthesiology for Cardiovascular Surgery and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Marlies
M
Labugger
Department of Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Austria.
Annelie
A
Weinberg
Institute for Medical Informatics Statistics and Documentation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Andrea
A
Berghold
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies
adolescents; children; nurses; nursing; pain assessment; postoperative care; worst pain