From analyses of individual patient data ( seven studies , 918 patients ) , we found baseline pain strongly associated with absolute , but not relative , MCID as patients with higher baseline pain needed larger pain reduction to perceive relief .
Conclusions The MCID in acute pain varied greatly between studies and was influenced by baseline pain , definitions of improved patients and study design .
Background The minimum clinical ly important difference ( MCID ) is used to interpret the clinical relevance of results reported by trials and meta-analyses as well as to plan sample sizes in new studies .
However , there is a lack of consensus about the size of MCID in acute pain , which is a core symptom affecting patients across many clinical conditions .
Meaningful cut-off pain intensity for breakthrough pain changes in advanced cancer patients
Abstract Objectives : To assess the level of pain intensity at which patients feel the impetus to ask for a breakthrough cancer pain ( BTcP ) medication , and level of pain intensity at which patients consider they have achieved acceptable pain control after receiving a BTcP medication . Methods : A consecutive sample of patients who were receiving oral morphine equivalents equal to or more than 60 mg daily , and were prescribed rapid onset opioids for the management of episodes of BTcP , were included in the study . Focused educational activities regarding BTcP and numerical scales were established during hospital admission . At discharge patients were interviewed to find out what was the pain intensity level which gave the impetus to take the BTcP medication , what was the pain intensity for acceptable pain control after a BTcP medication had been given , and which factors prevented the patient calling for BTcP medication . A brief COPE ( coping orientation to problems experienced ) question naire was also administered . Results : Fifty-two patients were recruited for this study . The meaningful pain intensity for asking for a BTcP medication was 7.1 ; 77 % of patients had a pain intensity of 7–8 on a numerical scale of 0–10 . The meaningful pain intensity for adequate analgesia after a BTcP medication was 3.5 . Similarly , 77 % of patients had a pain intensity of 3–4 . There was no relationship with the variables examined . Concerns by patients about the use of BTcP medications were minimal . Conclusion : The meaningful BTcP intensity and pain intensity expected after BTcP medication can be useful in selecting patients in studies of BTcP. The principal limitation of this study was the specific setting of an acute unit with specific features and the relatively low number of patients . This observation should be followed up by further surveys with a larger number of patients and different setting
From analyses of individual patient data ( seven studies , 918 patients ) , we found baseline pain strongly associated with absolute , but not relative , MCID as patients with higher baseline pain needed larger pain reduction to perceive relief .
Conclusions The MCID in acute pain varied greatly between studies and was influenced by baseline pain , definitions of improved patients and study design .
Background The minimum clinical ly important difference ( MCID ) is used to interpret the clinical relevance of results reported by trials and meta-analyses as well as to plan sample sizes in new studies .
However , there is a lack of consensus about the size of MCID in acute pain , which is a core symptom affecting patients across many clinical conditions .