Distinct Worst Pain Profiles in Oncology Outpatients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pain Management
• Psychosocial Oncology

Background:

• Pain is a significant challenge for oncology patients.
• Interindividual variability in pain characteristics is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify patient subgroups with distinct worst pain severity profiles.
• Compare these subgroups on demographic, clinical, pain, stress, and symptom characteristics.

Main Methods:

• 934 patients completed questionnaires over 2 chemotherapy cycles.
• Worst pain intensity assessed via numeric rating scale.
• Latent profile analysis used to identify pain subgroups.

Main Results:

• Three worst pain profiles identified: low (17.5%), moderate (39.9%), and severe (42.6%).
• The severe pain group had poorer socioeconomic status, higher comorbidity, worse functional status, and more pain locations.
• Severe pain was associated with lower pain management satisfaction, higher stress, and increased anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and cognitive dysfunction.

Conclusions:

• Unrelieved pain affects over 80% of outpatients.
• Distinct patient subgroups exist regarding pain severity and associated factors.
• Targeted interventions are crucial for managing complex pain profiles in oncology patients.