Pain assessment in critically ill patients in low resource countries

Abstract

We attempted to review the published literature to find out the status of pain assessment in critically ill patients (CIPs) managing in ICUs of low resource countries. We used broad electronic database (2004-2018) from common search engines. Evidence showed that 33%-61% of the patients in ICU experienced pain at rest and among them 10%-33% of patients experienced moderate to severe pain in developed countries. Prevalence of pain is expected to be high in low resource countries due to huge disease burden of CIPs. The gold standard of pain assessment is self-reporting; however, this is not possible when patients in ICU are unable to communicate. Alternatively, Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) and Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) can be used in this population. These methods/tools are being used in developed countries, however, no evidence is available in low resource countries. The dynamic nature of pain in ICU patients justifies regular pain assessment in all ICU settings. Authors strongly recommend that pain should be objectively assessed in all ICU patients regardless of age and gender using reliable and validated tools like BPS or CPOT.
Citation: Afshan G, Siddiqui S. Pain assessment in critically ill patients in low resource countries. Anaesth Pain & Intensive Care 2018;22 Suppl 1:S83-S87