Description

Skala et al reported a questionnaire which can help to identify a pain patient who may be at increased risk for developing opioid addiction. This can help to identify a patient who may require more aggressive management or nonopioid therapy. The authors are from the Medical University of Vienna.


Patient selection: patient with pain

 

Sections:

(1) nicotine addiction (heavy smoking index)

(2) alcohol dependence using the CAGE questionnaire

(3) psychiatric history

(4) expected effect of analgesic medication

(5) attribution of pain origin

 

Parameter

Finding

Points

time to first cigarette after waking up

<= 5 minutes

3

 

6 to 30 minutes

2

 

31 to 60 minutes

1

 

> 60 minutes

0

cigarettes smoked per day

> 30

3

 

21 to 30

2

 

11 to 20

1

 

<= 10

0

need to cut down drinking (CAGE 1)

no

0

 

yes

1

annoyed by people criticizing your drinking (CAGE 2)

no

0

 

yes

1

ever felt guilty about drinking (CAGE 3)

no

0

 

yes

1

ever needed a drink first thing in the morning (CAGE 4)

no

0

 

yes

1

family history of psychiatric illness or addiction (Psyche 1)

no

0

 

yes

1

psychological strain or cerebral disorder before the age of 14 that had a negative impact on development (Psyche 2)

no

0

 

yes

1

ever suffered from depression or anxiety (Psyche 3)

no

0

 

yes

1

past or current evidence of drug abuse or addiction (Psyche 4)

no

0

 

yes

1

think that a drug can make you happier, more content or more self-secure (Drug 1)

no

0

 

yes

1

think that a drug can help you unwind or reduce stress (Drug 2)

no

0

 

yes

1

primary cause of pain

due to organ damage or injury

0

 

due to psychological reasons

1

 

subscore for nicotine addiction =

= SUM(points for 2 smoking quesitons)

 

subscore for alcohol dependence =

= SUM(points for the 4 CAGE questions)

 

subscore for psychiatric history =

= SUM(points for the 4 psychiatric questions)

 

subscore for expected effect of analgesic medicine =

= SUM(points for the 2 drug questions)

 

Interpretation - there is a risk of addiction if:

(1) the nicotine addiction subscore is >= 4.

(2) the alcohol dependence subscore is >= 2.

(3) the psychiatric history subscore is >=1.

(4) the expected effect of the medication subscore is >=1.

(5) the points for the primary cause of pain is 1.


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