SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS INFLUENCE PAIN PERCEPTION IN NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER PATIENTS

Lung cancer is the most common malignant disease in men and the third most common in women worldwide. Pain in these patients is a leading and debilitating symptom, among others.

The aim of this research was to determine the relationship between the sociodemographic characteristics and pain perception, as measured by visual analogue scale for pain, in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

This observational, single centre study included both a cross-sectional and prospective cohort design.

Forty-one patients with a median age of 61 years (range 56-68) were included. This study showed that subjective perception of pain is related to age and place of residence. Younger patients ( ≤ 60 years old, p=0.026) and those residing in cities (p=0.03 1) reported feeling worse pain. Age was independently and statistically associated with the relative relief of pain after analgesic therapy (Wald=5.914; ss=1; p=0.015).

Age, lifestyle, place of residence, and mentality should be considered when evaluating pain percep- tion in patients suffering from chronic pain related to malignant disease in order to provide the best possible medical treat- ment with the goal of improving quality of life.