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Sprenger GP, van Zwet EW, Bakels HS, Achterberg WP, Roos RA, de Bot ST. Prevalence and burden of pain across the entire spectrum of Huntington's disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2024; 95:647-655. [PMID: 38290837 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2023-332992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pain is an important symptom in Huntington's disease (HD), however, not systematically studied and understood. The objective of the current study is to assess the prevalence of pain, pain interference in daily activities, painful conditions, analgesic use and the severity of the pain burden across different disease stages and 'Age at symptom Onset' groups. Additionally, the association between pain and disease burden was investigated. METHODS A cross-sectional analysis was conducted within two large data sets, which included different types of pain scales. Multivariable logistic regression analyses and analyses of variance were performed to compare the pain levels with those in the general population. The analyses were adjusted for sex and age. Locally Estimated Scatterplot Smoothing was used to test the association between pain and the HD pathology score: a measure of disease burden. RESULTS The mean prevalence of pain in the HD population was 40% and for pain interference around 35% in both data sets. Patients in the early, middle and late stage of HD experience more pain burden compared with what is reported in patients with chronic pain (p<0.01). A positive and significant association was demonstrated between pain and disease burden. Patients in late stage HD with pain use significantly less analgesics compared with the general population (5% vs 13%, respectively (p<0.01)). CONCLUSIONS Pain is a prevalent and important symptom in HD. Severe pain burden in the HD population is present and positively associated with disease burden. Risk for undertreatment with analgesics is nevertheless present. Awareness of pain in HD needs to be increased, both clinically and scientifically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory P Sprenger
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Huntington Center, Amstelring, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erik W van Zwet
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hannah S Bakels
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wilco P Achterberg
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Huntington Center overduin, Topaz, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Raymund A Roos
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Susanne T de Bot
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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2
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McLennan AIG, Castillo LIR, Hadjistavropoulos T. Pain in Dementia: An Empirical Test of a Common Assumption. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024:104605. [PMID: 38880391 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Numerous, and often largely overlapping, observational pain assessment tools have been developed specifically to assess pain in older adults with dementia under the assumption that a specialized approach is necessary to evaluate pain in this population. However, this assumption has never been tested empirically. As an empirical test of this implicit assumption, our goal was to compare existing tools for people living with dementia (with respect to psychometric properties), not only against each other, but also against a tool developed for a different population with cognitive impairments. Videos of older adults with severe dementia recorded in long-term care settings were coded for pain behaviors in the laboratory. Trained coders coded pain behaviors in video segments of older adults with dementia during a quiet baseline condition as well as during a physical examination (designed to identify painful areas), using various observational pain assessment tools. An observational measure of agitation was employed to facilitate the assessment of discriminant validity. Consistent with our expectations, all pain tools (including the tool developed for younger people with cognitive impairments) successfully differentiated between painful and nonpainful states, with large effect sizes. This was the first study to compare tools specifically developed to assess pain in people living with dementia to a tool developed for a different population. Given that all tools under study showed satisfactory psychometric properties when tested on persons with dementia, this study suggests that the assumption that different tools are necessary for different populations with cognitive impairments cannot be taken for granted. PERSPECTIVE: This article challenges an implicitly held assumption that specialized tools are needed to assess pain in different populations with cognitive impairments. Given commonalities in pain expression across populations, further research is needed to determine whether population-specific tools are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew I G McLennan
- Department of Psychology and Centre of Aging and Health, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Louise I R Castillo
- Department of Psychology and Centre of Aging and Health, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Thomas Hadjistavropoulos
- Department of Psychology and Centre of Aging and Health, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
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3
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Kim K, Choi S, Park M, Kim J, Kim K, Song E, Kim N, Park S, Song Y. Development of an Acute Pain Assessment Tool for Patients in Post-anesthesia Care Units. Pain Manag Nurs 2024; 25:e93-e98. [PMID: 38135607 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2023.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-operative pain is a common form of acute pain. Objective pain assessment in post-anesthesia care units after surgery is useful regardless of the patient's condition. AIMS This study aimed to develop and evaluate an acute pain assessment tool for patients in post-anesthesia care units. DESIGN This was a cross-sectional observational study comprising two stages: scale development and psychometric evaluation. SETTINGS . PARTICIPANTS/SUBJECTS . METHODS Scale items were developed based on a literature review and content validity by experts. The validity and interrater reliability of the pain scale were evaluated using data from 218 patients admitted to the post-anesthesia care unit at a university hospital. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to identify the sensitivity and specificity for determining the cutoff point for acute pain. RESULTS We developed an objective acute pain scale, called the APA5, which ranges from 0-10 and comprises behavioral (facial and verbal expressions and body movement) and physiological (changes in heart rate and blood pressure) responses. The APA5 is valid and reliable for assessing acute pain in the recovery room. Sensitivity and specificity were acceptable when the cutoff was 2 out of 10 points. CONCLUSIONS The APA5 is an easy and simple tool for measuring pain in patients in post-anesthesia care units who have difficulties with self-reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoungsook Kim
- From the Department of Nursing, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Suna Choi
- From the Department of Nursing, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Myouyun Park
- From the Department of Nursing, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Junghee Kim
- From the Department of Nursing, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwanghee Kim
- From the Department of Nursing, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunjin Song
- From the Department of Nursing, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Nagyeong Kim
- College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seyeon Park
- From the Department of Nursing, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Republic of Korea; College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Youngshin Song
- College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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Yan H, Yang J, Luo C, Zhang L, Tian Y, Cui S, Wu J, Chu J. Development and Psychometric Assessment of the Benefit Finding Scale for Chinese Older Adults With Chronic Diseases. Res Gerontol Nurs 2023; 16:44-52. [PMID: 36692437 DOI: 10.3928/19404921-20230105-03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The current study sought to develop an instrument for measuring benefit finding in Chinese older adults with chronic diseases and establish its psychometric characteristics. Scale items were drafted based on a literature review, theoretical learning, the Benefit Finding Scale (BFS), the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, and results of interviews with 24 older adults with chronic diseases. The preliminary scale draft was constructed by performing a Delphi expert consultation and pretest with a small sample. Using the first draft of the scale, we surveyed 380 older adults with chronic diseases. The BFS for older adults with chronic diseases comprised 26 items. Using exploratory factor analysis, we identified six common factors that explained 66.86% of the variance. Item content validity index ranged from 0.818 to 1.000 and scale content validity index was 0.91. Cronbach's alpha of the scale was 0.924 and test-retest reliability was 0.902. The BFS for older adults with chronic diseases showed good validity and reliability and can be used as a measurement tool for benefit finding in the aforementioned population. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 16(1), 44-52.].
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Cui Z, Guo Z, Wei L, Zou X, Zhu Z, Liu Y, Wang J, Chen L, Wang D, Ke Z. Altered pain sensitivity in 5×familial Alzheimer disease mice is associated with dendritic spine loss in anterior cingulate cortex pyramidal neurons. Pain 2022; 163:2138-2153. [PMID: 35384934 PMCID: PMC9578529 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Chronic pain is highly prevalent. Individuals with cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer disease are a susceptible population in which pain is frequently difficult to diagnosis. It is still unclear whether the pathological changes in patients with Alzheimer disease will affect pain processing. Here, we leverage animal behavior, neural activity recording, optogenetics, chemogenetics, and Alzheimer disease modeling to examine the contribution of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) neurons to pain response. The 5× familial Alzheimer disease mice show alleviated mechanical allodynia which can be regained by the genetic activation of ACC excitatory neurons. Furthermore, the lower peak neuronal excitation, delayed response initiation, as well as the dendritic spine reduction of ACC pyramidal neurons in 5×familial Alzheimer disease mice can be mimicked by Rac1 or actin polymerization inhibitor in wild-type (WT) mice. These findings indicate that abnormal of pain sensitivity in Alzheimer disease modeling mice is closely related to the variation of neuronal activity and dendritic spine loss in ACC pyramidal neurons, suggesting the crucial role of dendritic spine density in pain processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyu Cui
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongzhao Guo
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Luyao Wei
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang Zou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zilu Zhu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuchen Liu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liang Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Deheng Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zunji Ke
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Observing Pain in Individuals with Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Comparison Attempt across Countries and across Different Types of Cognitive Impairment. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11111455. [PMID: 34827454 PMCID: PMC8615509 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11111455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Facial expression is a key aspect in observational scales developed to improve pain assessment in individuals with cognitive impairments. Although these scales are used internationally in individuals with different types of cognitive impairments, it is not known whether observing facial expressions of pain might differ between regions or between different types of cognitive impairments. In a pilot study, facial responses to standardized experimental pressure pain were assessed among individuals with different types of cognitive impairments (dementia, mild cognitive impairment, Huntington’s disease, and intellectual disability) from different countries (Denmark, Germany, Italy, Israel, and Spain) and were analyzed using facial descriptors from the PAIC scale (Pain Assessment in Impaired Cognition). We found high inter-rater reliability between observers from different countries. Moreover, facial responses to pain did not differ between individuals with dementia from different countries (Denmark, Germany, and Spain). However, the type of cognitive impairment had a significant impact; with individuals with intellectual disability (all being from Israel) showing the strongest facial responses. Our pilot data suggest that the country of origin does not strongly affect how pain is facially expressed or how facial responses are being scored. However, the type of cognitive impairment showed a clear effect in our pilot study, with elevated facial responses in individuals with intellectual disability.
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Defrin R, Beshara H, Benromano T, Hssien K, Pick CG, Kunz M. Pain Behavior of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Coded with the New PAIC-15 and Validation of Its Arabic Translation. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11101254. [PMID: 34679319 PMCID: PMC8533720 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11101254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain management necessitates assessment of pain; the gold standard being self-report. Among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), self-report may be limited and therefore indirect methods for pain assessment are required. A new, internationally agreed upon and user-friendly observational tool was recently published—the Pain Assessment in Impaired Cognition (PAIC-15). The current study’s aims were: to test the use of the PAIC-15 in assessing pain among people with IDD and to translate the PAIC-15 into Arabic for dissemination among Arabic-speaking professionals. Pain behavior following experimental pressure stimuli was analyzed among 30 individuals with IDD and 15 typically developing controls (TDCs). Translation of the PAIC followed the forward–backward approach; and reliability between the two versions and between raters was calculated. Observational scores with the PAIC-15 exhibited a stimulus–response relationship with pressure stimulation. Those of the IDD group were greater than those of the TDC group. The overall agreement between the English and Arabic versions was high (ICC = 0.89); single items exhibited moderate to high agreement levels. Inter-rater reliability was high (ICC = 0.92). Both versions of the PAIC-15 are feasible and reliable tools to record pain behavior in individuals with IDD. Future studies using these tools in clinical settings are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Defrin
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Professions, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; (H.B.); (K.H.)
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-3-6405431; Fax: +972-3-6405436
| | - Heba Beshara
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Professions, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; (H.B.); (K.H.)
| | - Tali Benromano
- Department of Anatomy, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel;
| | - Kutaiba Hssien
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Professions, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; (H.B.); (K.H.)
| | - Chaim G. Pick
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel;
- Department of Anatomy, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel;
- Sylvan Adams Sports Institute, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Miriam Kunz
- Department of Psychology and Sociology, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, 86159 Augsburg, Germany;
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Lobbezoo F, Lam XM, de la Mar S, van de Rijt LJM, Kunz M, van Selms MKA. Faces of Pain during Dental Procedures: Reliability of Scoring Facial Expressions in Print Art. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11091207. [PMID: 34573228 PMCID: PMC8471833 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11091207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Observational tools have been developed to assess pain in cognitively impaired individuals. It is not known, however, whether these tools are universal enough so that even pain depicted in print art can be assessed reliably. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the reliability in scoring facial expressions of pain in dental print art from the 17th, 18th, and 19th century, using a Short Form of the 15-item Pain Assessment in Impaired Cognition (PAIC15-SF) tool. METHODS Seventeen prints of patients undergoing dental procedures were scored twice by two inexperienced observers and an expert and once by a Gold Standard observer. RESULTS All observers achieved high intra-observer reliability for all four items of the category "facial expressions" and for three items of the category "body movements" (ICC: 0.748-0.991). The remaining two items of the category "body movements", viz., "rubbing" and "restlessness", were excluded from further research because it was not possible to calculate a reliable ICC. Overall, the intra-observer reliability of the expert was higher than that of the inexperienced observers. The inter-observer reliability scores varied from poor to excellent (ICC: 0.000-0.970). In comparison to the Gold Standard, the inter-observer reliability of the expert was higher than that of the inexperienced observers. CONCLUSION The PAIC15-SF tool is universal enough even to allow reliable assessment of facial expressions of pain depicted in dental print art.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Lobbezoo
- Department of Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 LA Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (F.L.); (X.M.L.); (S.d.l.M.); (L.J.M.v.d.R.)
| | - Xuan Mai Lam
- Department of Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 LA Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (F.L.); (X.M.L.); (S.d.l.M.); (L.J.M.v.d.R.)
| | - Savannah de la Mar
- Department of Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 LA Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (F.L.); (X.M.L.); (S.d.l.M.); (L.J.M.v.d.R.)
| | - Liza J. M. van de Rijt
- Department of Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 LA Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (F.L.); (X.M.L.); (S.d.l.M.); (L.J.M.v.d.R.)
| | - Miriam Kunz
- Department of Medical Psychology and Sociology, Universität Augsburg (UNIA), 86135 Augsburg, Germany;
| | - Maurits K. A. van Selms
- Department of Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 LA Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (F.L.); (X.M.L.); (S.d.l.M.); (L.J.M.v.d.R.)
- Correspondence:
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Kaufmann L, Moeller K, Marksteiner J. Pain and Associated Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Patients Suffering from Dementia: Challenges at Different Levels and Proposal of a Conceptual Framework. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 83:1003-1009. [PMID: 34366340 PMCID: PMC8543251 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Old age is critically associated with multi-morbidity, chronic pain, and high risk for dementia. Recognizing and treating pain is very much dependent on language comprehension and production. Both may be impaired in dementia. Moreover, neuropsychiatric symptoms may interact with pain perception. The main aims of the present article were 1) to identify key areas for future research to elucidate the relation between pain and associated neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia, and 2) to provide a conceptual framework for ameliorating the clinical process of recognizing, assessing, and managing pain in non-communicating patients with advanced dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liane Kaufmann
- Depatment of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Austria.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy A, General Hospital Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Korbinian Moeller
- School of Science, Centre for Mathematical Cognition, Loughborough University, United Kingdom.,Leibniz-Institut fuer Wissensmedien, Tuebingen, Germany.,LEAD Graduate School & Research Network, University of Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Josef Marksteiner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy A, General Hospital Hall in Tirol, Austria
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van der Steen JT, Westzaan A, Hanemaayer K, Muhamad M, de Waal MWM, Achterberg WP. Probable Pain on the Pain Assessment in Impaired Cognition (PAIC15) Instrument: Assessing Sensitivity and Specificity of Cut-Offs against Three Standards. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11070869. [PMID: 34210018 PMCID: PMC8301856 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11070869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Observational pain scales can help to identify pain in persons with dementia who may have difficulty expressing pain verbally. The Pain Assessment in Impaired Cognition-15 (PAIC15) covers 15 items that indicate pain, but it is unclear how probable pain is, for each summed score (range 0–45). We aimed to determine sensitivity and specificity of cut-offs for probable pain on the PAIC15 against three standards: (1) self-report when able, (2) the established Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia (PAINAD) cut-off of 2, and (3) observer’s overall estimate based on a series of systematic observations. We used data of 238 nursing home residents with dementia who were observed by their physician in training or nursing staff in the context of an evidence-based medicine (EBM) training study, with re-assessment after 2 months in 137 residents. The area under the ROC curve was excellent against the PAINAD cut-off (≥0.8) but acceptable or less than acceptable for the other two standards. Across standards and criteria for optimal sensitivity and specificity, PAIC15 scores of 3 and higher represent possible pain for screening in practice, with sensitivity and specificity against self-report in the 0.5 to 0.7 range. While sensitivity for screening in practice may be too low, a cut-off of 4 is reasonable to indicate probable pain in research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny T. van der Steen
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (A.W.); (K.H.); (M.M.); (M.W.M.d.W.); (W.P.A.)
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
| | - Andrew Westzaan
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (A.W.); (K.H.); (M.M.); (M.W.M.d.W.); (W.P.A.)
- Aafje Thuiszorg, Huizen en Zorghotels, Pietersdijk 60, 3079 TD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kimberley Hanemaayer
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (A.W.); (K.H.); (M.M.); (M.W.M.d.W.); (W.P.A.)
- Franciscus Vlietland Hospital, Vlietlandplein 2, 3118 JH Schiedam, The Netherlands
| | - Muhamad Muhamad
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (A.W.); (K.H.); (M.M.); (M.W.M.d.W.); (W.P.A.)
- Stichting Voor Regionale Zorgverlening (Nursing Home), Prins Clauslaan 1, 4691 ZA Tholen, The Netherlands
| | - Margot W. M. de Waal
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (A.W.); (K.H.); (M.M.); (M.W.M.d.W.); (W.P.A.)
| | - Wilco P. Achterberg
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (A.W.); (K.H.); (M.M.); (M.W.M.d.W.); (W.P.A.)
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilco Achterberg
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, Niederlande.
| | | | - Bettina Husebo
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Elderly and Nursing Home Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norwegen
| | - Ane Erdal
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Elderly and Nursing Home Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norwegen
| | - Keela Herr
- University of Iowa College of Nursing, Iowa City, IA, USA
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12
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Achterberg WP, Erdal A, Husebo BS, Kunz M, Lautenbacher S. Are Chronic Pain Patients with Dementia Being Undermedicated? J Pain Res 2021; 14:431-439. [PMID: 33623425 PMCID: PMC7894836 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s239321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In dementia, neuropathological changes alter the perception and expression of pain. For clinicians and family members, this knowledge gap leads to difficulties in recognizing and assessing chronic pain, which may consequently result in persons with dementia receiving lower levels of pain medication compared to those without cognitive impairment. Although this situation seems to have improved in recent years, considerable geographical variation persists. Over the last decade, opioid use has received global attention as a result of overuse and the risk of addiction, while the literature on older persons with dementia actually suggests undertreatment. This review stresses the importance of reliable assessment and the regular evaluation and monitoring of symptoms in persons with dementia. Based on current evidence, we concluded that chronic pain is still undertreated in dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilco P Achterberg
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, RC Leiden, 2300, the Netherlands
| | - Ane Erdal
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, 5020, Norway
| | - Bettina S Husebo
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, 5020, Norway
| | - Miriam Kunz
- Department of Medical Psychology, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, 86156, Germany
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Giménez-Llort L, Bernal ML, Docking R, Muntsant-Soria A, Torres-Lista V, Bulbena A, Schofield PA. Pain in Older Adults With Dementia: A Survey in Spain. Front Neurol 2020; 11:592366. [PMID: 33329344 PMCID: PMC7715009 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.592366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The risk of suffering pain increases significantly throughout life, reaching the highest levels in its latest years. Prevalence of pain in nursing homes is estimated to range from 40 to 80% of residents, most of them old adults affected with dementia. It is already known that pain is under-diagnosed and under-treated in patients with severe cognitive impairment and poor/absent verbal communication, resulting in a serious impact on their quality of life, psychosocial, and physical functioning. Under-treated pain is commonly the cause of behavioral symptoms, which can lead to misuse of antipsychotic treatments. Here, we present two Regional and National Surveys in Spain (2015–2017) on the current practices, use of observational tools for pain assessment, guidelines, and policies. Results, discussed as compared to the survey across central/north Europe, confirm the professional concerns on pain in severe dementia, due to poor standardization and lack of guidelines/recommendations. In Spain, observational tools are scarcely used because of their difficulty and low reliability in severe dementia, since the poor/absent verbal communication and comprehension are considered limiting factors. Behavioral observation tools should be used while attending the patients, in a situation including rest and movement, should be short (3–5 min) and scored using a numeric scale. Among the pain items to score, “Facial expression” and “Verbalization” were considered essential and very useful, respectively. This was in contrast to “Body movements” and “Vocalizations,” respectively, according to the survey in central/north Europe. Scarce time availability for pain assessment and monitoring, together with low feasible and time-consuming tools, can make pain assessment a challenge. The presence of confounding factors, the low awareness and poor knowledge/education of specific tools for this population are worrisome. These complaints draw future directions to improve pain assessment. More time available, awareness, and involvement of the teams would also benefit pain assessment and management in cognitive impairment. The experiences and opinions recorded in these surveys in Spain and other E.U. countries were considered sources of knowledge for designing the “PAIC-15 scale,” a new internationally agreed-on meta-tool for Pain Assessment in Impaired Cognition and the “Observational pain assessment” in older persons with dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Giménez-Llort
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.,Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Maria Luisa Bernal
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Aida Muntsant-Soria
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.,Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Virginia Torres-Lista
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.,Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Antoni Bulbena
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Patricia A Schofield
- Abertay University, Dundee, United Kingdom.,Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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Kappesser J, Voit S, Lautenbacher S, Hermann C. Pain assessment for cognitively impaired older adults: Do items of available observer tools reflect pain-specific responses? Eur J Pain 2020; 24:851-862. [PMID: 31981281 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A number of observational tools are available to assess pain in cognitively impaired older adults, however, none of them can yet be regarded as a "gold standard". An international research initiative has created a meta-tool compiling the facial, vocalization and body movement items of the majority of available tools. Objective of this study was to investigate the pain specificity and the validity of these items. METHOD N = 34 older adults with or without cognitive impairment were videotaped in three different conditions (one reference, two painful conditions) in their nursing homes. They were further asked to self-report their pain in each condition. The occurrence of non-verbal behaviours was coded as present or absent using the items of the meta-tool. RESULTS The majority of non-verbal behaviours was not pain sensitive as they occurred less than three times across participants and conditions. Of the remaining items, two facial items ("pained expression" and "raising upper lip"), one vocalization item ("using pain-related words") and one body movement item ("guarding") were found to be pain specific and valid. One additional item, the vocalization item "gasping", was pain specific, but not associated with pain self-report, and three additional items, the facial items "frowning" and "narrowing eyes" and the vocalization item "mumbling" were correlated with pain self-report but did not help to separate pain from non-pain conditions. CONCLUSIONS Systematic evaluation of items of existing observational pain assessment tools under naturalistic conditions seems a promising approach in the process of further investigating and improving tools. SIGNIFICANCE Only few items stemming from observational pain assessment tools were found to be pain sensitive and specific as well as valid in this study. The investigation of existing tools not only on tool but additionally on item-level can provide helpful insights and thereby can help to improve the original tools and establish a gold standard for nonverbal pain assessment in older adults with cognitive impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Kappesser
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Voit
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Stefan Lautenbacher
- Department of Physiological Psychology, University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Christiane Hermann
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Abstract
The ageing revolution is changing the composition of our society with more people becoming very old with higher risks for developing both pain and dementia. Pain is normally signaled by verbal communication, which becomes more and more deteriorated in people with dementia. Thus, these individuals unnecessarily suffer from manageable but unrecognized pain. Pain assessment in patients with dementia is a challenging endeavor, with scientific advancements quickly developing. Pain assessment tools and protocols (mainly observational scales) have been incorporated into national and international guidelines of pain assessment in aged individuals. To effectively assess pain, interdisciplinary collaboration (nurses, physicians, psychologists, computer scientists, and engineers) is essential. Pain management in this vulnerable population is also preferably done in an interdisciplinary setting. Nonpharmacological management programs have been predominantly tested in younger populations without dementia. However, many of them are relatively safe, have proven their efficacy, and therefore deserve a first place in pain management programs. Paracetamol is a relatively safe and effective first-choice analgesic. There are many safety issues regarding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, and adjuvant analgesics in dementia patients. It is therefore recommended to monitor both pain and potential side effects regularly. More research is necessary to provide better guidance for pain management in dementia.
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