Pain descriptors and adaptation of Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2 (SF-MPQ-2) for older people in Brunei Darussalam

Background: Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. It is common in older people, and tends to be under-reported and under-treated. In addition to quantifying pain severity using the visual analogue scale (VAS), use of the translated Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ-2) to identify pain descriptors may assist with pain assessment in older people. Aims: identify pain descriptors for different pain aetiology in older people using the adapted SF-MPQ-2 Brunei Malay version and compare pain severity assessments using the VAS and SF-MPQ-2. Patients and methods: A prospective study using the translated SF-MPQ-2 in older people admitted or seen in clinic under Orthopaedics and Geriatrics specialties between November 2018 and February 2019. Results: There were 75 participants, with 21 pain descriptors used. The main descriptors for fractures, osteoarthritis or muscle/tendon problems were identified. Despite pain medication, more than a third still experienced moderate to severe pain. However, almost all were satisfied with the pain management. There was a statistically significant difference between pain severity between the VAS and SF-MPQ-2, with the VAS possibly underestimating pain. Conclusions: The adapted SF-MPQ-2 appears feasible for use with older people in Brunei. Further studies are required to formally validate the SF-MPQ-2 in older patients and with specific medical conditions, such as diabetes or surgery.