Cross-Correlation Among Visual Analog, Observational, and Behavioral Pain Scales of Oncological Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery.

PURPOSE: To determine the perception of postoperative pain intensity between nurses and oncology patients undergoing major abdominal surgery.

DESIGN: A prospective cross-correlation study with 173 oncology patients undergoing major abdominal surgery, such as hepatectomy or pancreatectomy.

METHODS: Postoperative pain intensity was evaluated by clinical pain assessment tools such as critical-care pain observation tool (CPOT) and behavioral pain scale (BPS) recorded by the researcher, whereas the visual analog scale was completed by patients. Demographic and clinical data were recorded.

FINDINGS: The Cronbach's α for CPOT and BPS was α = 0.738 for each. There was a significant correlation between CPOT and BPS (ρ = 0.796, P < .001), whereas the visual analog scale was correlated with CPOT and BPS (ρ = 0.351, P < .001 and ρ = 0.352, P < .001, respectively), showing that nurses did not underestimate patients' pain levels.

CONCLUSIONS: The management of postoperative pain intensity after major abdominal surgery requires clinical comprehension by nurses to achieve the reduction or suppression of pain.