Échelle EDAAP 2 : validation statistique d'une grille d'évaluation de l'expression de la douleur chez les adultes ou adolescents polyhandicapés

Caring for the general health of persons with multiple disabilities necessarily involves effective pain control. To be valid in this context, a pain assessment scale must be broadly based. In this article we present the development and statistical validation of a hetero-evaluation scale created at the Hendaye Marin Hospital. This scale is composed of 11 items in two categories: somatic impact and psychomotor and corporal impact. The sum of scores for each item produces the overall score which was determined in 147 patients free of pain and in 24 patients with pain. All measures were recorded twice to test the validity of the scale. The validity was confirmed since the difference in the total score between the two recordings was less than two points in 91% of patients free of pain and 67% of patients with pain. Comparisons between the baseline state (no pain) and a painful state were made in 245 patients; the total score, as well as the subscores were significantly higher in the painful state. Among the 342 scores recorded (294 in baseline state and 48 in painful situation), 98.5% were correctly classed using a cutoff at 7 points: a score below 7 defines the baseline state and a score greater or equal to 7 defines a state of pain. The EDAAP scale is a user-friendly effective tool for assessing pain in adults and adolescents with multiple disabilities.