The Role of Pain Catastrophizing Score in the Prediction of Venipuncture Pain Severity

BackgroundIn addition to the influence of tissue damage, the intensity of pain is also related to individual cognitive factors. The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) is used to measure individual tendency toward pain by inquiring about a subject's cognitive characteristics. Building on the knowledge that the venipuncture process causes severe pain and anxiety in some patients, the objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the PCS score and venipuncture pain. MethodsPatients were asked to complete the PCS questionnaire. Patients' demographic features, presence of chronic pain and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores were recorded. Clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients were used for correlation with the PCS scores. Using an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS), the patients then scored the amount of pain on cannulation. ResultsThis prospective study was conducted with 196 patients; 31 patients were excluded for various reasons. One hundred sixty-five patients, 74 women and 91 men, were included in the evaluation. The study found that the venipuncture pain score had a significant positive correlation with the PCS score (r=0.197, P<0.05). With respect to age, no statistically significant differences in the PCS scores were found (P>0.05). Female patients had a significantly higher PCS score than the males (P<0.05). The PCS score of patients with chronic pain was found to be significantly higher in comparison with those without pain complaints (P<0.05). ConclusionThere was a positive correlation between venipuncture pain and PCS score. Consequently, the venipuncture pain score could be useful in informing practitioners about a patient's pain considerations.