Algoplus performance to detect pain in depressed and/or demented old patients

• Published in: European journal of pain 2016-08, Vol.20 (7), p.1185-1193
• Main Authors: Bonin-Guillaume, S., Jouve, E., Lauretta, R., Nalin, C., Truillet, R., Capriz, F., Rat, P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute Pain - diagnosis; Acute Pain - psychology; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dementia - complications; Depressive Disorder - complications; Female; Humans; Male; Pain Measurement; Psychometrics; Sensitivity and Specificity
• ISSN: 1090-3801; 1532-2149
• DOI: 10.1002/ejp.844

Background Algoplus detects acute pain in non‐verbal old patients (NVOP) with good psychometric properties. However, depression or dementia might modify the Algoplus score and/or item expression. Algoplus performances on demented and/or depressed old populations were tested. Methods This multicentre cross‐sectional study included patients ≥65 years old with or without pain assigned to depression, dementia, depression & dementia or control groups. Each group was subjected to the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and behavioural scales (Algoplus, Doloplus). Depression and/or dementia status was rated and confirmed by blinded experts. Algoplus psychometric properties tested were: discriminant validity, convergent validity, item analysis, sensitivity to change after pain treatment and threshold determination. Results The analysis included 171 patients (mean age 82.3 ± 6.3 years). Patients with and without pain in each group were comparable for age in all subgroups, except the older dementia subgroup. The mean Algoplus score was significantly higher for patients with than without pain, regardless of group assignment (Wilcoxon signed‐rank test, p