Lung Cancer Pain Quality Descriptors: More Similarities Than Differences by Patient Characteristics.

Data came from studies conducted between 1989 and 2016, so lung cancer treatment and pain care have changed since then. Eligibility criteria changed over time, and later studies required pain in the last week to be 3 or higher on a 0 to 10 scale, which may explain higher intensity and Pain Rating Index scores in the later group. The analysis assumed that a descriptor not chosen meant it did not describe the patient's pain, but patients were not asked why they did not choose a word. Some patients may not have understood words such as lancinating, and the researchers did not define most descriptors. Sex was recorded as a binary option and did not distinguish sex assigned at birth from gender identity. Race categories and income categories were taken from older datasets and may not match current reporting standards or economic conditions. Most patients had stage 4 disease, so the findings may not represent patients with earlier stage lung cancer. Health literacy was not measured, so education differences cannot be interpreted as literacy differences. The study did not test whether the McGill Pain Questionnaire improves pain diagnosis, medication choice, or patient outcomes.

The authors declared no competing financial interests or personal relationships. The supplied text does not state a funding source.

Do not read this as evidence that using the McGill Pain Questionnaire improves pain diagnosis or treatment response. It is a historical descriptive analysis of existing patient-reported words, and it did not test outcomes or contemporary lung cancer therapies.