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Ductal Endoscopy of the Breast: More Painful at the Luteal Phase?
Author(s) -
Zografos George C.,
Zagouri Flora,
Sergentanis Theodoros N.,
Oikonomou Vassiliki,
Fotou Maria,
ni Aphrodite,
Patsouris Effstratios
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
pain practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1533-2500
pISSN - 1530-7085
DOI - 10.1111/j.1533-2500.2009.00273.x
Subject(s) - medicine , luteal phase , menstrual cycle , visual analogue scale , breast pain , breastfeeding , endoscopy , anesthesia , breast cancer , follicular phase , hormone , pediatrics , cancer
Purpose: To assess the putative predictors that may influence the pain experienced during ductal endoscopy of the breast. Methods: The pain experienced was evaluated in 19 consecutive premenopausal women with bloody nipple discharge scheduled for ductal endoscopy. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to estimate the degree of pain. The duration of the procedure, the history of lactation, and the phase of the menstrual cycle were evaluated with respect to pain experienced. Statistical analysis followed. Results: The average reported pain (VAS score, mean ± standard deviation) was 5.79 ± 1.51 while the maximum pain was 8.26 ± 0.99. The average reported pain was marginally associated with the duration of the procedure in contrast to the maximum. Women who were at the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle exhibited a higher average reported pain. The history of breastfeeding was not associated with the average reported pain, but it was associated with less intense maximum pain. Conclusions: Pain during ductal endoscopy of the breast is influenced by a host of factors: some immutable (such as history of lactation) and others variable (day of menstrual cycle). The latter (ie, avoidance of the luteal phase) may be targeted for the minimization of pain.