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Prevalence and intensity of pain after stroke: a population based study focusing on patients' perspectives.

Jönsson, Ann-Cathrin LU ; Lindgren, Ingrid LU ; Hallström, Björn LU ; Norrving, Bo LU and Lindgren, Arne LU (2005) In Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry p.590-595
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:

To determine prevalence and intensity of pain after stroke, focusing on patients' perspectives.

METHODS:

During a one year period, 416 first-ever stroke patients were included in the population based Lund Stroke Register. After 4 and 16 months (median), 297 patients (98% of survivors) were followed up. Worst pain intensity during the previous 48 hours was assessed on a visual analogue scale (VAS), range 0 to 100: a score of 0 to 30 was defined as no or mild pain; 40 to 100 as moderate to severe pain. NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) score and HbA1c were assessed at baseline. At 16 months, screening for depression was done using the geriatric depression scale (GDS-20), and cognition with the mini-mental state... (More)
OBJECTIVE:

To determine prevalence and intensity of pain after stroke, focusing on patients' perspectives.

METHODS:

During a one year period, 416 first-ever stroke patients were included in the population based Lund Stroke Register. After 4 and 16 months (median), 297 patients (98% of survivors) were followed up. Worst pain intensity during the previous 48 hours was assessed on a visual analogue scale (VAS), range 0 to 100: a score of 0 to 30 was defined as no or mild pain; 40 to 100 as moderate to severe pain. NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) score and HbA1c were assessed at baseline. At 16 months, screening for depression was done using the geriatric depression scale (GDS-20), and cognition with the mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Predictors of pain were determined by multivariate analyses.

RESULTS:

Moderate to severe pain was reported by 96 patients (32%) after four months (VAS median=60). Predictors of pain were younger age (p=0.01), female sex (p=0.006), higher NIHSS score (p<0.001), and raised HbA1c (p=0.001) at stroke onset. At 16 months, only 62 patients (21%) had moderate to severe pain, but pain intensity was more severe (median VAS score=70; p<0.016). Higher pain intensity correlated with female sex, worse GDS-20 score, better MMSE score, and raised HbA1c. Pain was persistent in 47%, disturbed sleep in 58%, and required rest for relief in 40% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although prevalence of pain after stroke decreased with time, after 16 months 21% had moderate to severe pain. Late pain after stroke was on average more severe, and profoundly affected the patients' wellbeing. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
stroke, pain, population studies
in
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry
pages
590 - 595
publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
ISSN
1468-330X
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
c85b2c34-ebe6-440e-a18c-e2d3daedc516
date added to LUP
2016-05-24 10:36:04
date last changed
2018-11-21 21:23:57
@article{c85b2c34-ebe6-440e-a18c-e2d3daedc516,
  abstract     = {{OBJECTIVE: <br>
<br>
To determine prevalence and intensity of pain after stroke, focusing on patients' perspectives.<br>
<br>
METHODS: <br>
<br>
During a one year period, 416 first-ever stroke patients were included in the population based Lund Stroke Register. After 4 and 16 months (median), 297 patients (98% of survivors) were followed up. Worst pain intensity during the previous 48 hours was assessed on a visual analogue scale (VAS), range 0 to 100: a score of 0 to 30 was defined as no or mild pain; 40 to 100 as moderate to severe pain. NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) score and HbA1c were assessed at baseline. At 16 months, screening for depression was done using the geriatric depression scale (GDS-20), and cognition with the mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Predictors of pain were determined by multivariate analyses.<br>
<br>
RESULTS: <br>
<br>
Moderate to severe pain was reported by 96 patients (32%) after four months (VAS median=60). Predictors of pain were younger age (p=0.01), female sex (p=0.006), higher NIHSS score (p&lt;0.001), and raised HbA1c (p=0.001) at stroke onset. At 16 months, only 62 patients (21%) had moderate to severe pain, but pain intensity was more severe (median VAS score=70; p&lt;0.016). Higher pain intensity correlated with female sex, worse GDS-20 score, better MMSE score, and raised HbA1c. Pain was persistent in 47%, disturbed sleep in 58%, and required rest for relief in 40% of patients.<br>
<br>
CONCLUSIONS: <br>
<br>
Although prevalence of pain after stroke decreased with time, after 16 months 21% had moderate to severe pain. Late pain after stroke was on average more severe, and profoundly affected the patients' wellbeing.}},
  author       = {{Jönsson, Ann-Cathrin and Lindgren, Ingrid and Hallström, Björn and Norrving, Bo and Lindgren, Arne}},
  issn         = {{1468-330X}},
  keywords     = {{stroke; pain; population studies}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{12}},
  pages        = {{590--595}},
  publisher    = {{BMJ Publishing Group}},
  series       = {{Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry}},
  title        = {{Prevalence and intensity of pain after stroke: a population based study focusing on patients' perspectives.}},
  year         = {{2005}},
}