ASSESSMENT OF PAIN IN PATIENTS PRESENTING TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WİTH ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME

Abstract

Objective: Early diagnosis and treatment of acute coronary syndromes, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and unstable angina are vital for patient prognosis. This study aimed to characterize the presentation and follow-up pain of patients admitted to the emergency department with a diagnosis of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, while accounting for sociodemographic characteristics.

Materials and methods: Thirty-six patients who presented to the emergency department with chest pain and were admitted with a diagnosis of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction between February 2025 and May 2025 were included in the study. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, Troponin-T values, McGill Short Form Pain Scale, and Visual Analog Scale scores of the patients were examined.

Results: Among 360 emergency department patients with chest pain, the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire McGill Short Form Pain Scale, total score averaged 6.58 ± 2.66. The Sensory Domain score was 3.82 ± 1.81, and the Perceptual Domain was 2.76 ± 1.76. Current pain intensity (Present Pain Intensity, PPI) averaged 2.43 ± 1.02. Comparing marital status, single patients (x = 3.20, SS ± 1.84) had a higher mean emotional domain score than married patients (x = 2.62, SS ± 1.73). Pain severity prompting the emergency visit decreased with age. Both the emotional domain score (r = 0.16, p = 0.003) and McGill Short Form Pain Scale, total score increased with higher Troponin-T values (r = 0.14, p = 0.009).

Conclusion: Building upon these findings, gender, education level, occupation, income level, body mass index, cohabiting partner, and previous acute coronery sendrome history were not significant variables. In contrast, marital status, having a chronic disease, having received education about a chronic disease, age, and Troponin-T level were identified as significant variables