Pain in U.S. nursing homes: validating a pain scale for the minimum data set.

TitlePain in U.S. nursing homes: validating a pain scale for the minimum data set.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2001
AuthorsFries BE, Simon SE, Morris JN, Flodstrom C, Bookstein FL
JournalGerontologist
Volume41
Issue2
Pagination173-9
Date PublishedApr
Accession NumberWOS:000167956800005
Call NumberUQ Library Call No. HQ1060 .G4 SS&H Journal holding: 32(1992)-41(2001); 42(2002)- Herston Medical Journal holding: 2(1962)-39(19
KeywordsAged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Homes for the Aged, Human, Male, Massachusetts epidemiology, Nursing Homes, Pain epidemiology, Pain Measurement methods, Pain prevention and control, Prevalence, Reproducibility of Results, Support, Non U.S. Gov't
Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to validate a pain scale for the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment instrument and examine prevalence of pain in major nursing home subpopulations, including type of admission and cognitive status. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study considered validation of the MDS pain items and derivation of scale performed against the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), using Automatic Interaction Detection. The derivation data describe 95 postacute care nursing home patients who are able to communicate. The scale is then used in retrospective analysis of 34,675 Michigan nursing home residents. RESULTS: A four-group scale was highly predictive of VAS pain scores (variance explanation 56%) and therefore quite valid in detecting pain. In the prevalence sample, only 47% of postacute patients compared to 63% of postadmission patients reported no pain, and these percentages rose with increasing cognitive impairment. IMPLICATIONS: Pain is prevalent in nursing home residents, especially in those with cognitive dysfunction, and often untreated.
DOI10.1093/geront/41.2.173
Link

https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/41/2/173/648321
Short TitleGerontologistGerontologist
Alternate JournalGerontologist