Refusal of pain medication is frequent in a Danish emergency department.

INTRODUCTION: Pain is a frequent symptom in patients attending emergency departments (EDs), but it remains unknown whether all patients with pain want pain-relieving treatment. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and intensity of pain. The secondary aim was to establish the proportion of patients wanting pain-relieving treatment.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed at Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark. We interviewed all patients attending the ED using a structured questionnaire to evaluate patient and pain characteristics as well as pain management in the ED. Pain intensity was evaluated using the Verbal Numerical Rating Scale (VNRS).

RESULTS: A total of 349 patients were included. Pain was present in 233 (67%) cases, and the median VNRS score (interquartile range) of patients with pain was 4 (2-6). In all, 100 (43%) patients had mild pain (VNRS 1-3) and 133 (57%) had moderate to severe pain (VNRS 4-10). Furthermore, 174 of patients with pain (n = 233) were asked if they wanted pain relieving treatment. Only, 59 (34%) of these patients were interested in this.

CONCLUSIONS: Pain was frequent, as it was seen in two thirds of non-critical adult patients in the ED. The majority of patients with pain had moderate to severe pain, but only one third of the patients with pain wanted pain-relieving treatment.

FUNDING: none.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.