WHOpijnladder

WHOpijnladder refers to a visual aid used to assess and manage pain. It is a tool developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to help healthcare professionals and patients understand and communicate the severity of pain. The ladder typically consists of three steps or levels, each representing a different intensity of pain and suggesting a corresponding approach to pain management.

The first step of the WHOpijnladder generally addresses mild pain. This level often suggests non-opioid analgesics, such as paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and may also include adjuvant therapies or non-pharmacological interventions like physiotherapy or psychological support. The goal at this stage is to alleviate discomfort and improve function with minimal intervention.

The second step is for moderate pain. If pain is not adequately controlled by the measures in the first step, the WHOpijnladder recommends introducing weak opioid analgesics, often in combination with non-opioid analgesics and adjuvant therapies. This step aims to provide stronger pain relief while still trying to minimize side effects.

The third step is for severe pain. For pain that remains intense despite the interventions in the first two steps, the WHOpijnladder suggests the use of strong opioid analgesics. These are typically administered with careful monitoring for efficacy and potential side effects. Adjuvant therapies and non-pharmacological approaches also continue to play a role at this level to provide comprehensive pain management.

The WHOpijnladder is a widely used framework in pain management, particularly in palliative care and oncology, offering a structured and stepwise approach to titrating pain medication and other treatments based on the patient's reported pain intensity.