Table 1 Pattern of analgesic use according to severity of pain
Statement | Number (%) of patients agreeing* with statement in each pain category (score range) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Â | None (n = 6) (0 to <0.5) | Slight (n = 26) (0.5 to <1.5) | Moderate (n = 100) (1.5 to <2.5) | Severe (n = 62) (2.5 to <3.5) | Extreme (n = 17) (3.5 to 4) |
1. I always take my tablets everyday | 2 (33%) | 9 (35%) | 66 (65%) | 47 (72%) | 13 (77%) |
2. I only take a tablet when the pain gets too bad | 5 (83%) | 14 (54%) | 45 (45%) | 23 (35%) | 5 (29%) |
3. I vary how I take the tablets depending on how bad the pain is | 3 (50%) | 14 (54%) | 54 (54%) | 30 (46%) | 6 (35%) |
4. When I'm having a bad patch I take my tablets everyday, otherwise I only take them when I feel I need them | 3 (50%) | 14 (54%) | 44 (44%) | 20 (31%) | 3 (18%) |
5. I usually take the tablets before I go to bed | 1 (17%) | 6 (23%) | 37 (37%) | 24 (37%) | 9 (53%) |
6. I usually take the tablets before exercise | 1 (17%) | 3 (12%) | 34 (34%) | 20 (31%) | 4 (24%) |