Chronic Pain Today

Smokers suffer more chronic back pain. This was the result of the analysis of a questionnaire performed by Monique Zimmermann-Stenzel and her colleagues and published in the current edition of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International (Dtsch Arztebl Int, 2008; 105[24]: 441-8).

http://www.aerzteblatt.de/v4/archiv/pdf.asp?id=60552

In 2003, the Robert Koch Institute interviewed more than 8000 private persons in the course of a telephone health survey (GsTel03). This included questions on social and demographic themes, as well as health and life style. On the basis of the collected data, the authors examined whether there was an association between smoking and chronic back pain.

Their evaluation showed that smokers or former smokers suffer chronic back pain much more often than do non-smokers. The number of years the subjects had been smoking or had smoked was decisive. Subjects who had consumed tobacco for more than 16 years had a two-fold greater probability of suffering chronic back pain than subjects who had smoked for less than 10 years. The probability of back pain was further multiplied for subjects who had smoked for longer than 26 years. On the other hand, the frequency with which the subjects consumed tobacco and the quantities smoked did not play a role.

However, the authors pointed out that tobacco consumption does not necessarily cause chronic back pain. It is just as possible that people with chronic back pain smoke to alleviate the pain. The exact association between smoking and back pain will have to be clarified in appropriate studies. These could offer additional possibilities to prevent chronic back pain or smoking motivated by this.

For measurement of pain in people with dementia who cannot verbalize.

How to use scale: While observing the resident, score questions 1 to 6

Name of resident: …………………………………………………………………………

Name and designation of person completing the scale: ………………………….

Date: ….………………………………………

Time: ………………………………………

Latest pain relief given was…………………………..…………..….….at ………..hrs.

Q1.Vocalisation

eg. whimpering, groaning, crying

Q1 Absent 0

Mild 1

Moderate 2

Severe 3

Q2. Facial expression

eg: looking tense, frowning grimacing, looking frightened

Q2 Absent 0

Mild 1

Moderate 2

Severe 3

Q3.  Change in body language

eg: fidgeting, rocking, guarding part of body, withdrawn

Q3 Absent 0

Mild 1

Moderate 2

Severe 3

Q4. Behavioural Change

eg: increased confusion, refusing to eat, alteration in usual patterns

Q4 Absent 0

Mild 1

Moderate 2

Severe 3

Q5. Physiological change

eg: temperature, pulse or blood pressure outside normal limits, perspiring, flushing or pallor

Q5 Absent 0

Mild 1

Moderate 2

Severe 3

Q6. Physical changes

eg: skin tears, pressure areas, arthritis, contractures, previous injuries.

 Q6 Absent 0

Mild 1

Moderate 2

Severe 3

Add scores for 1 – 6 and record here Total Pain Score ______

Now tick the box that matches the Total Pain Score

0 – 2 No pain ___

3 – 7 Mild  ___

8 – 13 Moderate ___

14+  Severe ___

Finally, tick the box which matches the type of pain

Chronic  ____

Acute  ____

Acute on Chronic ____

Dementia Care Australia Pty Ltd

Website: www.dementiacareaustralia.com

Abbey, J; De Bellis, A; Piller, N; Esterman, A; Giles, L; Parker, D and Lowcay, B.

Funded by the JH & JD Gunn Medical Research Foundation 1998 – 2002

(This document may be reproduced with this acknowledgment retained)

Chronic Pain Today is debuting a new “Tools” page in our site. This will be where you can find worksheets, handy identifiers, and other ways to help in your day to day pain management program. So far to date the new Tools Page has the following information:


Pill Identifier - Got pills and not sure what they are?? What to make sure that the pills in the container are the pills that the label says they are?? Check on them here.

Pain Clinics - Need to find a pain clinic near you?? This is a great source to reference.

Check Drug Interactions - Check to see if your OTC or Prescription drugs have interactions, can check against other medications, food, and other things.

Pain Diary - How to keep and use a pain diary.

Chronic Pain Journaling - How to use a journal in your pain management.

McGill Pain Scale - How to verbalize your pain.