Symptoms and side effects in chronic non-cancer pain patients: clinical implications and development of new assessment tools

T S Olsen, T Jonsson, J Højsted, P Sjøgren, L Christrup

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVE: To improve a 41-item screening tool evaluated in our previous study by making it more simple and convenient to patients and at the same time maintain the level of information and the sensitivity.

    METHODS: In a prospective, two-period questionnaire study, patients suffering from chronic pain of non-cancer origin for more than 6 months, were asked to fill in two questionnaires: QSSE-41 or QSSE-33 and SF-36. The first part of the study (QSSE-41) included an age- and sex-matched control group.

    RESULTS: A total of 67 patients were included in QSSE-41 and 60 patients in QSSE-33. In QSSE-41, the mean number of symptoms reported by the patient group (12.3) was significantly higher than those reported by the controls (6.8) (P < 0.001). Out of the total number of symptoms, 40.3% were reported to be side effects caused by analgesics, and out of those 61.3% were reported as acceptable and 38.7% as unacceptable side effects. In the QSSE-33, the mean number of symptoms reported by the patient group was 13.6. Out of the total number of symptoms, 46.3% were reported to be side effects caused by analgesics, and out of those 56.4% were reported as acceptable and 43.6% as unacceptable side effects.

    CONCLUSIONS: This new and shorter screening tool QSSE-33 may substitute the original QSSE-41 and in clinical use, contribute substantially to a more comprehensive and detailed understanding of symptoms/side effects and may consequently lead to improved therapies.

    OriginalsprogEngelsk
    TidsskriftActa Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
    Vol/bind59
    Udgave nummer8
    Sider (fra-til)1060-7
    Antal sider8
    ISSN0001-5172
    DOI
    StatusUdgivet - sep. 2015

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