BackgroundGiven the subjective nature of pain, it is difficult to assess the level of pain and discomfort felt by patients during medical procedures. Several tools have been developed in order to objectively evaluate the level of pain, such as the Nurse-Assessed Patient Comfort Score (NAPCOMS). This scale was designed and prospectively validated in a cohort of 300 adults undergoing colonoscopy (Rostom et al). It includes three domains: a) pain (intensity- frequency-duration), the sum of the three items gives a total pain score between 0 and 9 (0 being no pain, and 9 the highest level); b) sedation level (0–3); and c) a global tolerability rating (0–3). In children, no reliable tool exists to assess pain and comfort during colonoscopy.
展开▼
