Prospective, cohort study of trauma resuscitation patients transported by ambulance to a major trauma centre. Patients with haemodynamic instability (SBP < 90, HR > 120) or GCS < 14 on arrival were excluded. Momentary pain scores were measured on an 11-point verbal numerical rating scale by paramedics during prehospital management. Patients were evaluated within 48 h of injury on the recall of their initial pain, pain during transport, and lowest pain score achieved by prehospital analgesia. Spearman's rank correlation and Bland-Altman tests were used to compare ambulance and hospital data.<h4 class="h4">Resultsh4>
88 trauma resuscitation patients (mean age 44 years 卤 18 SD, male 74%, mean ISS: 7 卤 5 SD) were enrolled over a 5 month study period. Comparison of immediate and recalled pain scores produced Spearman's correlation coefficients of 0.71 for initial pain, 0.56 for pain during transport, and 0.45 for minimum pain scores.<h4 class="h4">Discussionh4>
In our study patients did not accurately recall their pain levels 1-2 days after acute trauma. The results suggest that retrospective pain ratings are not reliable in trauma patients.