Pain measurement in the elderly: evaluation of psychometric properties of the Geriatric Pain Measure – Portuguese version

• Main Authors: Thaisa Segura da Motta, Regina Clara Gambaro, Fânia Cristina Santos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira para o Estudo da Dor
• Series: Revista Dor
• Subjects: elderly; geriatric pain measure; pain evaluation; psychometric properties; validation
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1806-00132015000200136&lng=en&tlng=en
• ISSN: 1806-0013; 2317-6393

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The "Geriatric Pain Measure" was developed for multidimensional pain evaluation in the elderly, being easy to apply and understand. It has already been translated and transculturally adapted to Brazil (Geriatric Pain Measure-P). This study aimed at evaluating its psychometric properties, checking whether they are adequate. METHODS: Participated in the study 70 community elderly, aged 60 years or above, of both genders, with chronic pain (three months or longer), with intensity equal to or higher than 30 mm according to the pain visual analog scale. Socio-demographic characteristics, pain duration and intensity were evaluated. For reliability and validity, two interviewers have applied the Geriatric Pain Measure and, in up to 14 days, a single interviewer has reapplied it. For validity, the Geriatric Pain Measure-P "Total Adjusted Score" and its questions related to pain intensity (Q 19 and 20) were correlated to the visual analog scale and, in a subsample, the Geriatric Pain Measure-P "Total Adjusted Score" was correlated to daily life functionality. RESULTS: Sample was made up especially of long-lived elderly females, widows, with low education and moderate to severe pain. Internal consistency was adequate (Cronbach’s alpha= 0.729) and reproducibility was satisfactory (low variability without statistically significant differences). The Geriatric Pain Measure-P "Total Adjusted Score" and the visual analog scale had low correlation but it was regular for Q19 and Q20 of the Geriatric Pain Measure-P and for the visual analog scale (19 r=45.5%, 20 r=51.9%; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The Geriatric Pain Measure-P had its psychometric properties analyzed and adequate reliability and validity were found. It was easy to apply and understand, demanding a short period of time.