AN ENGAGING EXPLORATION IN THE A.O. “S. CROCE E CARLE” CUNEO EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

BACKGROUND Non-traumatic abdominal pain is a common symptom in the Emergency Department (ED). Proper triage color coding is essential for timely treatment of patients at risk of worsening conditions. Effective assessment tools are necessary during the Triage phase. OBJECTIVE This study aims to compare the multidimensional Manchester Pain Ruler Scale (MPRS) with the unidimensional Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NRS) regarding their predictive ability for analgesic needs, care duration, and outcomes in patients with non-traumatic abdominal pain at the Emergency Department of A.O. S. Croce e Carle in Cuneo. METHODS A cohort of patients with non-traumatic abdominal pain who met the study criteria was selected. Data were categorized into pain levels (0-3; 4-6; 7-10) and types of analgesia used (Paracetamol, NSAIDs, opioids) for both MPRS and NRS. Results were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Feedback from Triage operators was also collected through a questionnaire administered by a nurse prior to the study (November 2023). RESULTS In 2024, the Emergency Department of the "Santa Croce" Hospital in Cuneo recorded 40,042 visits, with 2,933 for non-traumatic abdominal pain from May to November. Out of these, 599 cases met the inclusion criteria. The sample comprised 55.1% females, with 88.1% arriving independently. Most patients received a green triage code, while 34% were classified as orange. The MPRS assigned lower scores than the NRS, with a 64% discrepancy. However, MPRS showed better predictive ability for opioid needs and hospitalization, indicating greater objectivity in risk assessment. Implementing MPRS could improve pain management in the ED, but further studies are necessary to evaluate its practical impact.ù CONCLUSIONS The findings confirm that abdominal pain is a leading cause of ED visits. MPRS is a promising tool for assessing non-traumatic abdominal pain and enhancing risk stratification and pain management in Triage. Further studies comparing MPRS and NRS and exploring other pain types are recommended.