Self-report of pain intensity: correlation between children, parents, and nurses

Abstract

Background: In pediatrics, pain self-report is often impossible and the uncertainty regarding the degree of agreement between parents and nurses’ proxy-report and children’s self-report is a concern. Objective: To assess the degree of agreement between children, parents, and nurses’ reports of pain intensity. Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in two health units involving 64 children (aged 5-17 years), their parents, and nurses. The Visual Analogue Scale and the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLAAC) scale were used to assess pain intensity. Results: When parents and nurses used the FLACC scale to assess pain, a moderate correlation was found between children and nurses’ reports (rs = 0.51; p < 0.01) and between children and parents’ reports (rs = 0.55; p < 0.01). Conclusion: Children’s self-report of pain intensity is moderately correlated with parents and nurses’ proxy-reports.