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Clinically significant changes in nausea as measured on a visual analog scale.
Gregory W Hendey1, Neil F Donner, Kimberly Fuller
1University of California, San Francisco-Fresno, University Medical Center, Fresno, CA 93702, USA. hendey@ucsfresno.edu
Annals of Emergency Medicine
|January 7, 2005
Summary
The minimum clinically significant change in nausea using a visual analog scale is 15 mm. This finding aids in interpreting clinical studies on nausea symptom changes.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Clinical assessment
- Symptom measurement
Background:
- Nausea is a common symptom requiring accurate measurement for effective treatment.
- Visual analog scale (VAS) is frequently used to quantify nausea severity.
- Establishing a minimum clinically significant change (MCSC) for nausea on VAS is crucial for interpreting study results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the MCSC for nausea measured by a 100-mm VAS.
- To provide a standardized metric for evaluating nausea symptom improvement or worsening in clinical trials.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, descriptive study of adult emergency department patients with nausea.
- Exclusion of intoxicated patients and those with mild nausea (<30 mm on VAS).
- Patients reported nausea severity on VAS and qualitative changes (e.g., 'a little less'). MCSC defined as mean VAS change in patients reporting 'a little less' or 'a little more' nausea.
Main Results:
- Eighty-three paired VAS measurements from 50 patients were analyzed.
- The mean change in VAS for patients reporting 'a little less' or 'a little more' nausea was 15.4 mm (95% CI 11.0 to 19.8).
- This value represents the MCSC for nausea on the VAS.
Conclusions:
- The MCSC for nausea on a VAS is 15 mm.
- This finding aligns with MCSCs for other symptoms, enhancing the interpretation of nausea-related clinical research.
- This standardized MCSC will improve the consistency and comparability of studies assessing nausea interventions.