Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Aug 2000
Clinical TrialAn evaluation of the Faces Pain Scale with young children.
The psychometric characteristics of the Faces Pain Scale (FPS) were evaluated in three groups of preschool and school-aged children (3. 5-4.5; 4.5-5.5 and 5.5-6.5 years, respectively). The FPS was adequately comprehended by even young children. It was easily administered and was valid and discriminating. It did not, however, possess the linear scalability claimed by its authors.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Aug 2000
Clinical TrialThe course of symptom frequency and intensity in advanced cancer patients followed at home.
Four hundred consecutive patients who were referred to a home palliative care program were prospectively surveyed to estimate the prevalence and severity of common symptoms according to the changes in the performance status. Patients were admitted for the presence of different symptoms and psychosocial support. Common symptoms included in a standard form were rated for severity (absent 0, mild 1, moderate 2, severe 3) for each visit. ⋯ Other symptoms, such as dyspnea, drowsiness, weakness, and confusion tended to further increase and to have a peak at the lowest levels of K. Dysphagia and constipation progressively increased in frequency and intensity, but decreased at the end. These findings clarify the actual frequency and intensity of symptoms in a non-selected home care population with advanced cancer.