Patient anxiety may influence the efficacy of ED pain management Philip Craven MD, Orhan Cinar MD, Troy Madsen MD American Journal of Emergency Medicine (2013) 31, 313-318 Marieke Schot 12 maart 2013
Introduction and aims Strong correlation with anxiety and pain scores Anxiety is a riskfactor for oligoanalgesia and dissatisfaction. Evaluate incidence of anxiety and rates of anxiety treatment in patients with pain-related complaints. Determine whether anxiety may affect pain management and patient satisfaction.
Methods 10-year prospective observational study of patients with pain-related complaints, tertiary care hospital ED, USA. Included: adult patients with a chief concern of pain from any cause. Excluded: patients < 18 yrs, with critical illness, or trauma. Language/comprehension barriers, prisoners, refusers. Quenstionaires to quantify pain and anxiety (0-10) at time of presentation ED and discharge. 4 groups: 0=none, 1-4=mild, 5-7=moderate, 8-10=severe
Results 1
Results 2
Discussion and conclusions Increased anxiety is an important and previously unidentified risk factor for oligoanalgesia in the ED. Anxiety may be underrecognized and undertreated in patients with pain-related complaints. Patients reporting severe anxiety were less likely to report satisfaction with pain treatment, despite increased odds of analgesic administration. Increased attention to anxiety in ED patients may result in improved treatment of pain and overall patient satisfaction.