Validation of the Korean version of defense and veterans pain rating scale for assessment of postoperative pain: a prospective observational cohort study
- Author:
Seungeun CHOI
1
;
Taeyup KIM
;
Hae Kyeong YOO
;
Sang-Youn PARK
;
Soo-Hyuk YOON
;
Ho-Jin LEE
Author Information
- Publication Type:Clinical Research Article
- From:The Korean Journal of Pain 2025;38(1):58-68
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:The defense and veterans pain rating scale (DVPRS) is a pain assessment tool combining a numerical rating scale (NRS) with descriptive words, colors, and facial expressions. This study aimed to validate the Korean version of the DVPRS (K-DVPRS) for postoperative pain assessment.
Methods:This study included patients who underwent elective laparoscopic or robotic abdominal surgery. The original DVPRS was translated into Korean using a forward-backward method. Pain intensities at rest and during coughing were assessed at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively using the NRS and K-DVPRS, respectively. The EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire was also used. The validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the K-DVPRS were evaluated.
Results:Of the 174 patients screened, 150 were enrolled, and 148 completed the study. The K-DVPRS had strong convergent validity with the NRS at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively (ρ: 0.75 to 0.78, all P < 0.001). Construct validity was confirmed by significant differences in pain scores based on surgical extent and duration. The internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.77 and 0.85 at 24 and 48 hours, respectively), and test-retest reliability at 24 hours was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.90 at rest and 0.95 during coughing).Responsiveness, measured by Cliff’s effect size, was high from preoperative to 24 hours postoperatively and moderate from 24 to 48 hours. At 48 hours, the K-DVPRS had stronger correlations with the EQ-5D-5L index and EQVAS than with the NRS.
Conclusions:The K-DVPRS is a valid, reliable, and responsive tool for assessing postoperative pain in Korean patients.
