Abstract
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.