MQS Calculator for pain medication
Problem
Medication use is an important consideration in chronic-pain rehabilitation programmes. However, it is difficult to quantify this aspect of chronic-pain treatment, because patients often take multiple medications differing in pharmacological class and dosage level.
The Medication Quantification Scale (MQS) developed by Harden et al provides a method for quantifying medication use in patients with chronic, non-malignant pain. It was developed for clincal and reasearch purposes.
Its calculation in clinical practice causes many problems.
Solution
A webbased MQS Calculator helps to calculate the MQS values online. A Betaversion of this tool has been developed and adapted according to the specific needs of Belgium Reference Centers.
Literature
Steedman, S., M. et al. (1992) Chronic-Pain Medications: Equivalence Levels and Method of Quantifying Usage; The Clinical Journal of Pain, 8:204-214, Raven Press
Harden, R.N. et al. (2005) Medication Quantification Scale Version III: Update in Medication Classes and Revised Detriment Weights by Survey of American Pain Society Physicians. The Journal of Pain; Vol. 5, No. 6, pp. 364-371
MQS Test Server
Here is the link to the MQS Calculator (adapted Belgian test version).
http://mqs.pain-initiative.com
