Is it possible to objectify the visual pain scale?

Objectives: To test our hypothesis that a new modified VAS [mVAS] is superior and more objective than VAS in evaluating pain perception and treatment response between genders who have renal colic pain

Methods: The individuals in patient and control groups were first asked to mark the pain perceived during access of IV line [VAS[IV] score]. Then the patients with renal colic were asked to mark the pain they experienced before treatment [VAS[RC] score] and at 15 and 30 minutes after the administration of the first analgesic drug. The modified VAS scores [mVAS score] were obtained by subtracting the VASIV score from VAS[RC] score

Results: When VAS was used, the female patients had significantly higher level of pain at 0, 15, and 30th minutes than men [p = 0.012, p = 0.001, and p = 0.003, respectively]. However, there was not any significant difference at 0 and 30[th] min between sexes while female patients had significantly higher level of pain scores only at 15[th] minute according to mVAS scores [p = 0.027]

Conclusion: We think that the mVAS is superior and more objective than VAS in evaluating pain perception and abolished the difference in the perceived level of pain due to gender

Diagnostic value of ischemia-modified albumin in acute coronary syndrome and acute ischemic stroke

To investigate diagnostic value of ischemia-modified albumin [IMA] levels in patients applying to emergency with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome [ACS] and acute ischemic stroke [AIS]. Two patient groups [ACS and AIS] and a control group were constituted. The study was discontinued upon reaching 30 patients in each group. Following patient approval at the initial visit, a total of 10 ml venous blood sample was obtained from all patients with a high clinical suspicion of ACS and AIS. The Troponin I and the IMA levels were determined in the blood samples. Statistically significant higher IMA values were determined in the patient groups compared to the control group [p < 0.001 for both groups]. No statistically significant correlation was found between the IMA and the Troponin I values in the ACS and the AIS groups [p>0.05 for both groups]. The sensitivity of IMA was 83% and 87% for ACS and AIS, respectively. The specificity of IMA was 90% and 87% for ACS and AIS, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity values, determined according to the optimal cut-off values in the groups demonstrated that IMA could be a useful diagnostic marker in ACS and AIS patients