Classification of pain in cancer patients – a systematic literature review

One of the aims of the European Palliative Care Research Collaborative (EPCRC) is to achieve consensus on a classification system for cancer pain. We performed a systematic literature review to identify existing classification systems and domains/items used to classify cancer patients with pain. In...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Palliative medicine 2009-06, Vol.23 (4), p.295-308
Main Authors: Knudsen, AK, Aass, N, Fainsinger, R, Caraceni, A, Klepstad, P, Jordhøy, M, Hjermstad, MJ, Kaasa, S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cancer
Classification
Evidence-Based Medicine
Female
Humans
Literature reviews
Male
Neoplasms - complications
Pain
Pain - classification
Pain Management
Pain Measurement - methods
Palliative care
Palliative Care - methods
Practice Guidelines as Topic
Systematic review
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Summary:One of the aims of the European Palliative Care Research Collaborative (EPCRC) is to achieve consensus on a classification system for cancer pain. We performed a systematic literature review to identify existing classification systems and domains/items used to classify cancer patients with pain. In a systematic search in the databases Medline and Embase, covering 1986–2006, 692 hits were obtained. 92 papers were evaluated to address pain classification. Six standardised classification systems were identified; three of them systematically developed and partially validated. Both pain characteristics and patient characteristics relevant for cancer pain classification were included in the classification systems. All but one of the standardised systems aim at predicting treatment response or adequacy of treatment. Several domains and items used to describe cancer pain but not formally described as part of a classification system were also identified and systematised. The existing approaches to pain classification in cancer patients are different, mostly not thoroughly validated, and none is widely applied. An internationally accepted classification system for cancer pain could improve research and cancer pain management. This systematic review suggests a need for developing an international consensus on how to classify pain in cancer patients.
ISSN:0269-2163
1477-030X
DOI:10.1177/0269216309103125