Assessment of first-time attendees at a pain clinic using a pain inventory tool

Abstract

Aims: Pain presents a complex challenge affecting the quality of life of over a million adults annually. Understanding the variety and distribution of pain types is vital for effective management and intervention strategies. This study aimed to assess the characteristics and distribution of pain among first-time attendees at a pain clinic using the Brief pain inventory (BPI). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 100 adult outpatients at the pain clinic of the İstanbul Training and Research Hospital from July to November 2012. The BPI was administered face-to-face and demographic data were collected. Individuals under 18 years of age, mentally retarded, previous pain clinic attendance, cancer pain, or diagnosed rheumatic diseases was excluded. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the means, standard deviations, and frequency distributions. Results: The study included 100 adult patients with a mean age of 46.4, predominantly female (65%), who sought treatment for various pain complaints at a pain clinic. The majority reported throbbing (41% knee, 31% lumbar, and 65% shoulder) and exhausting pain (74% knee, 73% lumbar, and 65% shoulder), with significant proportions experiencing constant pain, especially in the knee (82%) and lumbar region (81%). Regular analgesic use was noted in 54% of the patients, with 65% requiring daily medication, indicating high demand for pain management. Despite treatment, 90% expressed the need for stronger pain relief and 50% reported side effects from analgesics. Various nonpharmacological methods have been used, such as hot compression (38%) and relaxation techniques (30%). Conclusion: The study reveals the significant pain burden among first-time pain clinic patients, with throbbing and exhausting sensations prevalent in knee and lumbar regions. The extensive use of analgesics and need for stronger pain relief indicate ongoing pain management challenges. The adoption of nonpharmacological methods highlights the need for a multifaceted approach. These findings emphasize the necessity of tailored, multidimensional pain management strategies for enhanced patient care and quality of life.