S224 Poster Sessions / European Journal of Pain 13 (2009) S55–S285

Conclusion: Women reported more postoperative pain than men,

but more women considered intermediate NRS scores as ‘bearable

pain’. This finding should be taken into account in treatment

decisions and guideline development.

777

REPRODUCIBILITY OF DYNAMOMETRIC AND

NON-DYNAMOMETRIC TRUNK EXTENSOR MUSCLE TESTS IN

PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN

M. Vanderthommen1 *, S. Grosdent2, J.M. Crielaard2, C. Demoulin1.1Department of Motor sciences, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium;2CHU of Liege, Liege, Belgium

Background and Aims: Literature describes several dynamometric

and non-dynamometric tests to assess trunk extensor muscle

performances. In patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP),

reproducibility of such assessments remains understudied. The

purpose of this study was to compare reproducibility of the widely

used Sorensen test and of two dynamometric tests i.e. an isometric

maximal strength test and a static endurance test performed until

exhaustion.

Methods: 44 patients (22 men, 22 women; age range: 30–60

years) with CLBP (mean Roland-Morris disability scores reaching

6±3.4) were randomized into two groups attending two assessment

sessions. 12 men and 12 women underwent two tests (i.e. a

maximal strength test and a static endurance test requiring to

maintain as long as possible a torque of 50 percent of maximal

strength previously determined) performed on a specific trunk

extensor dynamometer (David Back) while the other patients were

submitted to the non-dynamometric Sorensen test (lifting the

upper trunk and maintaining the horizontal position). Tests were

performed twice (spaced by 15 minutes) during the first session

(intra-session reproducibility) and once during the second session

(inter-session reproducibility) happening 2 to 7 days later.

Results: The Table presents coefficient of variations (CV) and limits

of agreement (LOA) related to the intra-session and inter-session

reproducibility.

Intra-session Inter-session

CV 95% LOA CV 95% LOA

Dynamometric strength test (n = 24) 7.8% −43/159Nm−1 5.6% −34/42Nm−1

Dynamometric endurance test (n = 24) 18.7% −45/39 s 24.8% −60/52 sSorensen test (n = 20) 14.8% −48/24 s 17.2% −40/14 s

Conclusions: Reproducibility appeared satisfactory for the strength

test, moderate for the Sorensen test and low for the dynamometric

endurance test in patients with moderate CLBP.

778

PAIN IN HOSPITALIZED ONCOLOGY PATIENTS: NURSES AND

PHYSICIANS RECORDS

C. Vieira1 *, A. Teixeira1,2, M. Juan1, N. Domingues1, J. Freitas1,

M. Fragoso1. 1Instituto Portugues de Oncologia Porto, Porto, Portugal;2Portugal

Objective: Is cancer pain homogeneously evaluated in cancer

hospitalized patients?

Methods: Single institution, retrospective study, with adult patients

(pts) admitted to a medical care unit from 1 to 28 February 2007.

Data on demographics, cancer location, staging, treatment and pain

evaluation by clinical nurse and physician were collected from

clinical files.

Results: 140 patients (74% males) were included in our sample;

median age at diagnosis: 59 years (17–81). Majority admitted for

scheduled chemotherapy (65 pts curative and 54 pts palliative

intent); 13 pts best symptomatic care. Most frequent diagnosis:

lung cancer followed by head and neck (18%) and colorectal (16%)

cancer. Nurses registers reported 13 pts (9.3%) with pain; 75.7% had

no pain complaints (15% lacked registration); pain characteristics

and localization in 8 pts (radiation of pain 1 pts; quality 2 pts,

aggravating factors 2 pts), response to analgesic therapy in 4 pts and

to rescue medication in 5 pts. Physicians reported pain in 11 (7.9%)

pts (46.4% lacked register); localization in 10 and characterization

in 3 pts; 2 reported radiation and 4 aggravating factors; 2 pts

had registers concerning response to treatment and 1 to rescue

medication. The records of nurses and physicians were similar for

pain characterization in one case and for localization in two.

Conclusions: Disagreement among health professionals evaluation

is a recognized difficulty as is suggested by this retrospective study.

The need for institution learning may be a relevant issue. Steroids

used as anti-emetics may have introduced an important bias as to

pain prevalence.

779

HERPES ZOSTER AND POST-HERPETIC NEURALGIA: ASPECTS

OF DAILY LIFE AFFECTED BY PAIN

T. Weinke1 *, R. Baron2, A. Edte3, S. Schmitt4, K. Lukas5. 1Klinikum

Ernst von Bergmann, Potsdam, Germany; 2University of Kiel, Kiel,

Germany; 3TNS Healthcare, Munich, Germany; 4Sanofi Pasteur MSD,

Leimen, Germany; 5Sanofi Pasteur MSD, Lyon, France

Background and Aims: This survey assessed the pain associated

with herpes zoster (HZ) and post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) and

impact of pain on quality of life.

Methods: Telephone interviews conducted in Germany (March–

May 2008) evaluated the impact of pain in historic HZ episodes.

Patients rated pain from 0 (“no pain”) to 10 (“pain as bad as you

can imagine”) and interference with activities of daily living from

0 (“does not interfere”) to 10 (“completely interferes”).

Results: Of 11,009 respondents from the general population, 280

met screening criteria (≥ 50 years old, painful HZ diagnosed in

previous 5 years), of whom 32 (11%) developed PHN. Pain outcomes

were not affected by time of diagnosis or age. Most patients

described HZ pain as burning (58%), electric shocks (13%) and

painful cold (8%). PHN was associated with significantly worse

outcomes than HZ. Mean pain scores associated with PHN and

HZ, respectively, were 7.1 and 6.2 on average and 8.2 and 7.0 at

worst (both P < 0.05). Many PHN (40%) and some HZ (23%) patients

reported extreme levels of pain at worst (score 9–10). Patients with

PHN received more medications than those with HZ (mean 2.2

versus 1.6), yet experienced less pain relief (49% versus 67%; both

P < 0.05). Mean pain interference associated with PHN and HZ was

highest for sleep (6.5 versus 4.9), normal work (6.1 versus 4.4) and

mood (5.9 versus 4.4; all P < 0.05).

Conclusions: HZ causes substantial pain, which interferes with

many aspects of daily life, particularly in those who develop PHN.

T.W. has received consulting and lecture fees from Sanofi Pasteur

MSD, GSK and Novartis Vaccines. R.B. has received research

support from Pfizer Pharma GmbH, Genzyme and Grunenthal, and

consulting fees from Pfizer Pharma GmbH, Genzyme, Grunenthal,

Mundiph

780

ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES: PAIN AFTER

CAESAREAN DELIVERY IN A MOTHER AND CHILD HOSPITAL

E. Maillet, J. Michel, L. Teisseyre, T. Moreaux, Y. Doually,

M. Massiani, C. Milan, J.Fc. Oury, B. Vincent, F. Brion, C. Wood*,

O. Bourdon. APHP Hopital Robert Debre et Universite Paris Descartes,

Paris, France

Aim: To assess the professional practices of our hospital regarding

the pain management of caesarean delivery during hospitalization

and 7 days after discharge.

Methods and Materials: All patients (130) needing a caesarean

section for delivery, during a period of 4 months, entered our

study. 12 patients were excluded: 2 were transferred to another

hospital and the medical charts were incomplete for 10 leaving a

study population of 118. 100 patients received a phone call from a

Pharmacy student (EM) 7 days after discharge.