Objective analyses of mastalgia in breast clinics: Is breast pain questionaire a useful tool in a busy breast clinic?

SummaryThe aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of use of breast pain questionnaire (BPQ), a short, focussed and robustly designed tool to assess severity of mastalgia and its impact on quality of life, in a busy breast clinic. Seventy-four consecutive women completed BPQ prior to their consultation with a Breast Surgeon. Based on the BPQ score, mastalgia was graded as mild (score 0–100) in 26%, moderate (score 101–200) in 59% and severe (score >200) in 15% of patients. In 93% of patients breast pain lasted for more than 5 days and visual analogue score (VAS) was more than 3.5 in 82% of patients. The breast pain was described as mild (12%) discomforting (55%), distressing (22%) excruciating (3%) or horrible (8%). All results are presented as median (interquartile ranges). Out of maximum possible 100, overall pain rating was 17(9–31), percent sensory component was 21(12–33) and percent affective component was 0(0–17). The percent VAS was 60(40–80), percent pain index was 40(40–60) and quality of life score (maximum possible 60) was 20(0–40). Of maximum possible score of 360, total breast pain was 137(99–180). In conclusion BPQ can be used routinely in a busy breast clinic as a quick, user-friendly and reliable tool to assess the degree and severity of breast pain in order to provide an organised approach to the management of mastalgia.