Evaluating Dental Pain in Diverse Conditions: Findings From Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire Study

Introduction and aims: Making precise diagnoses of patients with dental pain is challenging. Thus, a screening system that can help accurately stratify patients depending on the severity of their condition is required. In this study, we compared the characteristics of dental pain in patients with di...

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Main Authors: Jin Wang, Yin-Fei Pu, Hong-Tao Chen, Xiang-Song Bai, Xue Yang, Ai-Ping Ji, Jie Bai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:International Dental Journal
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020653925001534
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author Jin Wang
Yin-Fei Pu
Hong-Tao Chen
Xiang-Song Bai
Xue Yang
Ai-Ping Ji
Jie Bai
author_facet Jin Wang
Yin-Fei Pu
Hong-Tao Chen
Xiang-Song Bai
Xue Yang
Ai-Ping Ji
Jie Bai
author_sort Jin Wang
collection DOAJ
description Introduction and aims: Making precise diagnoses of patients with dental pain is challenging. Thus, a screening system that can help accurately stratify patients depending on the severity of their condition is required. In this study, we compared the characteristics of dental pain in patients with different conditions using a Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). Methods: A total of 1541 patients admitted to the Peking University School of Stomatology between February 2022 and July 2023 were assessed. Demographic data and pain characteristics were collected. Pain was assessed using the SF-MPQ, which includes the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Present Pain Intensity (PPI), and Pain Rating Index (PRI). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, with variance analysis and Pearson's correlation coefficients, and a T-test was employed to assess the relationship between pain scores and various factors. Results: A total of 11 conditions associated with dental pain were detected. Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP, 427, 27.7%) and symptomatic apical periodontitis (SAP, 429, 27.8%) were the most common conditions. Higher scores were seen in patients with SIP (5.5 ± 2.8 for PRI; 59.4 ± 24.4 for VAS; 2.9 ± 0.8 for PPI), SAP (5.6 ± 2.9 for PRI; 56.1 ± 32.0 for VAS; 2.8 ± 0.7 for PPI) and interappointment flare-up (IFU, 8.2 ± 0.5 for PRI; 56.2 ± 14.9 for VAS; 3.0 ± 0.0 for PPI). The location of pain in a tooth, spontaneous pain, sleep disturbance, duration of pain in a short time, taking painkillers was invalid, diagnosis with SIP and SAP, and IFU were significantly associated with higher pain scores (all P < .05). Conclusions: Patients with SIP and SAP present with higher pain scores. The SF-MPQ can aid in the effectiveness of dental emergency triage by identifying true acute symptomatic patients and ensuring appropriate management based on the severity of their conditions. Clinical Relevance: SF-MPQ may help to increase effectiveness in dental emergency triage, diagnosis, and treatment.
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spelling doaj-art-10b1df8644d64dbb9520eb08e087bbc32025-08-20T03:12:27ZengElsevierInternational Dental Journal0020-65392025-08-0175410086410.1016/j.identj.2025.100864Evaluating Dental Pain in Diverse Conditions: Findings From Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire StudyJin Wang0Yin-Fei Pu1Hong-Tao Chen2Xiang-Song Bai3Xue Yang4Ai-Ping Ji5Jie Bai6Department of Oral Emergency, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology &amp; National Center for Stomatology &amp; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases &amp; National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing, 100081, PR ChinaDepartment of Oral Emergency, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology &amp; National Center for Stomatology &amp; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases &amp; National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing, 100081, PR ChinaDepartment of Oral Emergency, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology &amp; National Center for Stomatology &amp; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases &amp; National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing, 100081, PR ChinaDepartment of Oral Emergency, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology &amp; National Center for Stomatology &amp; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases &amp; National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing, 100081, PR ChinaDepartment of Oral Emergency, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology &amp; National Center for Stomatology &amp; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases &amp; National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing, 100081, PR ChinaCorresponding author. Department of Oral Emergency, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology &amp; National Center for Stomatology &amp; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases &amp; National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing, 100081, PR China; Department of Oral Emergency, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology &amp; National Center for Stomatology &amp; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases &amp; National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing, 100081, PR ChinaCorresponding author. Department of Oral Emergency, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology &amp; National Center for Stomatology &amp; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases &amp; National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing, 100081, PR China; Department of Oral Emergency, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology &amp; National Center for Stomatology &amp; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases &amp; National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing, 100081, PR ChinaIntroduction and aims: Making precise diagnoses of patients with dental pain is challenging. Thus, a screening system that can help accurately stratify patients depending on the severity of their condition is required. In this study, we compared the characteristics of dental pain in patients with different conditions using a Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). Methods: A total of 1541 patients admitted to the Peking University School of Stomatology between February 2022 and July 2023 were assessed. Demographic data and pain characteristics were collected. Pain was assessed using the SF-MPQ, which includes the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Present Pain Intensity (PPI), and Pain Rating Index (PRI). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, with variance analysis and Pearson's correlation coefficients, and a T-test was employed to assess the relationship between pain scores and various factors. Results: A total of 11 conditions associated with dental pain were detected. Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP, 427, 27.7%) and symptomatic apical periodontitis (SAP, 429, 27.8%) were the most common conditions. Higher scores were seen in patients with SIP (5.5 ± 2.8 for PRI; 59.4 ± 24.4 for VAS; 2.9 ± 0.8 for PPI), SAP (5.6 ± 2.9 for PRI; 56.1 ± 32.0 for VAS; 2.8 ± 0.7 for PPI) and interappointment flare-up (IFU, 8.2 ± 0.5 for PRI; 56.2 ± 14.9 for VAS; 3.0 ± 0.0 for PPI). The location of pain in a tooth, spontaneous pain, sleep disturbance, duration of pain in a short time, taking painkillers was invalid, diagnosis with SIP and SAP, and IFU were significantly associated with higher pain scores (all P < .05). Conclusions: Patients with SIP and SAP present with higher pain scores. The SF-MPQ can aid in the effectiveness of dental emergency triage by identifying true acute symptomatic patients and ensuring appropriate management based on the severity of their conditions. Clinical Relevance: SF-MPQ may help to increase effectiveness in dental emergency triage, diagnosis, and treatment.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020653925001534Dental PainDental Emergency DepartmentPain AssessmentShort-Form McGill Pain QuestionnairePain Management
spellingShingle Jin Wang
Yin-Fei Pu
Hong-Tao Chen
Xiang-Song Bai
Xue Yang
Ai-Ping Ji
Jie Bai
Evaluating Dental Pain in Diverse Conditions: Findings From Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire Study
International Dental Journal
Dental Pain
Dental Emergency Department
Pain Assessment
Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire
Pain Management
title Evaluating Dental Pain in Diverse Conditions: Findings From Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire Study
title_full Evaluating Dental Pain in Diverse Conditions: Findings From Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire Study
title_fullStr Evaluating Dental Pain in Diverse Conditions: Findings From Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire Study
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating Dental Pain in Diverse Conditions: Findings From Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire Study
title_short Evaluating Dental Pain in Diverse Conditions: Findings From Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire Study
title_sort evaluating dental pain in diverse conditions findings from short form mcgill pain questionnaire study
topic Dental Pain
Dental Emergency Department
Pain Assessment
Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire
Pain Management
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020653925001534
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