Intensity, location, and quality of pain in Spanish-speaking children with cancer.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Spanish speaking children with cancer were asked to describe their pain during the previous week prior to an oncology clinic appointment. Data showed that 41% of the children were experiencing pain and the overall mean pain intensity rating among these children was 5.7 +/- 2.7. Among those children with moderate to severe pain, the most frequently marked locations on the body outline diagram was the abdomen (53.8%), lower back (46.2%), and upper chest (30.8%). The higher percentage of children complaining of abdominal pain may be attributed to the high percentage (63.6%) of children reporting oral chemotherapy at home. Some children experienced pain that was unrecognized and undetected, and therefore were not receiving medications. To minimize the risk of under-treatment of pain, children and parents may be taught to use the Spanish version of the Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool to communicate the child's pain to clinicians.

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Jacob, E; McCarthy, KS; Sambuco, G; Hockenberry, M

Published Date

  • January 2008

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 34 / 1

Start / End Page

  • 45 - 52

PubMed ID

  • 18361086

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0097-9805

Language

  • eng