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Patient preferences for acute pain treatment
T J Gan1, D A Lubarsky, E M Flood
1Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3094, Durham, NC 27710, USA. gan00001@mc.duke.edu
British Journal of Anaesthesia
|March 9, 2004
Summary
Patients value pain relief and treatment side effects equally, with individual preferences varying. Understanding these trade-offs is key for optimal acute pain management.
Area of Science:
- Pain Management
- Patient Preferences
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Optimal acute pain treatment involves balancing pain control with treatment side effects.
- Patient willingness to make trade-offs between pain relief and side effects is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the extent to which patients are willing to trade pain relief for different side effect profiles.
- To understand individual patient preferences in acute pain management.
Main Methods:
- Fifty patients undergoing major abdominal surgery were interviewed pre- and post-surgery.
- An experience with pain questionnaire and adaptive conjoint analysis (ACA) were utilized.
Main Results:
- Post-surgery pain relief ranged from 70-80%, with 82% reporting moderate to severe side effects.
- Adaptive conjoint analysis revealed near-equal importance scores for pain efficacy and side effect severity.
- Significant patient variability was observed in willingness to trade pain relief for milder side effects.
Conclusions:
- Patients exhibit distinct preferences for side effect types and severity, influencing their willingness to trade pain relief.
- Physicians should consider non-narcotic pain medications with fewer side effects as a primary option.
- Balancing analgesia and side effects is essential for achieving optimal patient pain control.