Is It Possible to Objectify the Visual Pain Scale?

Objectives: To test our hypothesis that a new modified VAS (mVAS) is superior and more objective than VAS in evaluating pain perception and treatment response between genders who have renal colic pain.

Methods: The individuals in patient and control groups were first asked to mark the pain perceived during access of IV line (VASIV score). Then the patients with renal colic were asked to mark the pain they experienced before treatment (VASRC score) and at 15 and 30 minutes after the administration of the first analgesic drug. The modified VAS scores (mVAS score) were obtained by subtracting the VASIV score from VASRC score.

Results: When VAS was used, the female patients had significantly higher level of pain at 0, 15, and 30th minutes than men (p = 0.012, p = 0.001, and p = 0.003, respectively). However, there was not any significant difference at 0 and 30th min between sexes while female patients had significantly higher level of pain scores only at 15th minute according to mVAS scores (p = 0.027).

Conclusion: We think that the mVAS is superior and more objective than VAS in evaluating pain perception and abolished the difference in the perceived level of pain due to gender.