Evaluation of Pain Characteristics & Intensity
Pain is inherently subjective and the patient self-report is the gold standard in assessment. Ideally, the description of the pain should characterize its temporal relations, intensity, location, quality and factors that exacerbate or relieve it. Factors that either exacerbate or relieve pain can suggest an underlying cause that can contribute to diagnosis. For example, relief of back pain upon lying down may suggest disc disease, while allodynia in a region of normal looking skin may indicate a neuropathic mechanism. Identification of these factors may also assist in the treatment of pain.
Pain Characteristics |
|
| Characteristics | Potential Elements |
| Temporal | Acute, recurrent, or persistent Onset and duration Course and daily variation, including breakthrough pain |
| Intensity (verbal rating or 0-10 numeric scale) |
Pain “on average” last day or week Pain “at its worst” last day or week Pain “at its least” last day or week Pain “right now” |
| Topography | Focal or multifocal Focal or referred, and specific radiation Superficial or deep |
| Quality | Any descriptor (e.g., aching, throbbing, stabbing or burning) Familiar or unfamiliar |
| Exacerbating / relieving factors |
Volitional (“incident pain”) or non-volitional |
Source: Portenoy RK and Kanner RM, Definition and assessment of pain. In Portenoy RK and Kanner RM, eds. Pain Management: Theory and Practice, Philadelphia: F A Davis; 1996; 7. |
|
