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Assessment of peri-extubation pain by visual analogue scale in the adult intensive care unit: a prospective observational study

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Abstract

Objective

This prospective observational study was undertaken in order to assess pain experienced by intensive care unit patients at the time of extubation and to identify factors associated with pain of at least moderate intensity.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Intensive care unit at a university hospital.

Patients

During a 1-year period the presence, severity and clinical predictors of orofacial and/or chest pain among patients undergoing removal of endotracheal tubes was assessed.

Measurements and results

Pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Of 332 extubated patients, 203 could be evaluated. During the peri-extubation period, pain was significantly associated with a SAPS II score more than 36 (p=0.03) and duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) of 6 days or more (p=0.002), whereas intubation in the operating room was associated with less pain (p=0.001). Pain of at least moderate intensity (VAS score >30 mm) was reported by 73% of patients and pain of severe intensity (VAS score >50 mm) was reported by 45% of patients. MV duration of 6 days or more was the only independent risk factor for pain of at least moderate intensity (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.03–5.4, p=0.04). We also observed that pain had resolved 1 h after extubation in the majority of patients.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that, in intensive care unit patients, peri-extubation pain is frequent and should be considered for treatment, especially in patients with longer intubation.

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Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank the nurses for their participation in the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Service des Maladies Infectieuses et de Réanimation Médicale, Hôpital Pontchaillou, rue Henri Le Guilloux, 35000, Rennes, France

    Arnaud Gacouin, Christophe Camus, Yves Le Tulzo, Sylvain Lavoue, Jérome Hoff, Thomas Signouret, Arnaud Person & Rémi Thomas

Authors
  1. Arnaud Gacouin
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  2. Christophe Camus
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  3. Yves Le Tulzo
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  4. Sylvain Lavoue
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  5. Jérome Hoff
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  6. Thomas Signouret
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  7. Arnaud Person
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  8. Rémi Thomas
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Arnaud Gacouin.

Additional information

Presented, in part, at XXXIe Congrès de la Société de réanimation de langue française, January 16, 2003, CNIT, Paris-la-Défense

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Gacouin, A., Camus, C., Le Tulzo, Y. et al. Assessment of peri-extubation pain by visual analogue scale in the adult intensive care unit: a prospective observational study. Intensive Care Med 30, 1340–1347 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-004-2188-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-004-2188-6

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