Evaluation of Chronic Pain and Pain Intensity: A Study among Nurses of Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Nurses are exposed to various injuries in the upper and lower extremities. Aim: To evaluate features of chronic pain in the upper and lower extremities and factors associated with the intensity of chronic pain among nurses. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited nurses with chronic pain using census sampling (n=414). Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was performed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The findings of this study shows that off 414 subjects, 277 subjects (66.9%) reported chronic pain in the upper extremity and 137 subjects (33.1%) intheir lower extremity. The quality of pain, pain frequency, and pain-related disabilities were statistically different between nurses with upper limb pain and lower limb pain (p0.05). Results also showed that pain intensity was significantly associated with age, time spent in a new work position, evening shift work, and levels of pain frequency (p<0.05). Conclusion: Nurses usually complain of chronic pain in different parts of their bodies. The characteristics of pain are different in upper and lower body extremities. However, there was no significant difference in pain intensity between upper and lower limbs. Thus, implementing the preventive intervention based on the characteristics of chronic pain would help in improving the quality of nursing care.

Keywords

• disabilities
• injuries
• lower extremities