Measurement of Acute Pelvic Pain Intensity in Gynecology: A Comparison of Five Methods
Abstract
Objective To compare different methods for measuring pelvic pain intensity in a gynecologic emergency unit. Methods A total of 177 consecutive female patients, with or without pain, consulting in a gynecologic emergency unit, underwent initial pain evaluation. We used three self-report pain intensity scales: visual analog scale, numeric rating scale, and verbal rating scale, and two nonverbal structured behavioral indices (BI-1, first behavioral index, BI-2 second behavioral index). Diagnosis and treatment took place in routine manner. Results The five scales were unidimensional according to principal component analysis (Cronbach's alpha coefficient=0.89). Missing data rates were greater for the two behavioral scales than for the self-report scales (n=177; 6.2% for BI-1 and 12.4% for BI-2). Patients had lower scores with the behavioral scales than with the self-report ones. Variations of pain intensity according to the pain physiology or the pain location were similar whatever the method of measurement used. The five methods were all sensitive to the physiology of the pain, the location and the severity of the illness, and pain as a main complaint. None of the methods used was affected by age, occupational categories, parity, or geographical origins. Conclusion All methods adequately measured the pelvic pain intensity in gynecologic emergencies. The self-report scales were easier to use than the behavioral indices. Self-report measurements of pelvic pain intensity provide use…
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The visual analogue scale is an appropriate and well-established tool for measuring pelvic pain associated with endometriosis.
“The VAS score was selected as the primary efficacy variable in this study because the VAS is an appropriate and well-established tool for the measurement of pelvic pain associated with endometriosis”
From Dienogest is as effective as leuprolide acetate in treating the painful symptoms of endometriosis: a 24-week, randomized, multicentre, open-label trial (2010) · cites this paper as Fauconnier et al., 2009
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- Authors
- Fauconnier, A., Dallongeville, E., Huchon, C., Ville, Y., & Falissard, B.
- Affiliations
- Inserm (FR)
- Venue
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Published
- 2009-02
- Volume
- 113
- Issue
- 2, Part 1
- Pages
- 260-269
- ISSN
- 0029-7844 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1963538125
- Cited by
- 41
- References
- 37
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 4.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Obstetrics and Gynecology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine › Pain Management and Opioid Use
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Emergency Medicine › Emergency and Acute Care Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Anesthesia and Pain Management
- Keywords
- pelvic pain, pain intensity assessment, gynecologic emergencies, self-report pain scales, visual analogue scale, numerical rating scale, verbal rating scale, pain physiology, pain localization, triage, emergency department
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Emergency Service, Hospital, Female, Humans, Pain Measurement, Prospective Studies, Pelvic Pain, Young Adult
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