Brief Pain Inventory — Short Form (BPI-SF)
Short form of the Brief Pain Inventory (Cleeland & Ryan 1994). Pain severity score = mean of four 0–10 ratings (worst, least, average, now); pain interference (mean of 7 items) is rated separately.
Score interpretation
All four severity ratings are 0.
→ Reassess at the next contact.
Mean severity above 0 and below 5 (Serlin 1995: 1–4 mild).
→ Step-1 WHO ladder: paracetamol regular ± topical NSAID. Reassess at next contact.
Mean severity 5 to below 7 (Serlin 1995: 5–6 moderate).
→ Step-2 WHO: weak opioid (codeine, tramadol) + paracetamol; consider step-3 if cancer pain. Adjuvants (gabapentinoid, TCA) for neuropathic features. Document interference and review at 24–72 h.
Mean severity 7 or more (Serlin 1995: 7–10 severe).
→ Step-3 strong opioid (morphine first-line). Specialist palliative pain referral. Add adjuvants; consider interventional options (coeliac plexus, intrathecal). Psychosocial support — severe pain often clusters with distress.
Interpretation bands for the BPI-SF. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Remifentanil · Opioid (Ultra-Short-Acting)
- Alfentanil · Opioid Analgesic (Ultra-Short Acting)
- Fentanyl (IV — Anaesthesia/ICU) · Opioid Analgesic (Short-Acting)
- Remimazolam · Ultra-Short Acting Benzodiazepine (Procedural Sedation)
- Chloroprocaine hydrochloride · Short-acting ester local anaesthetic
- Mivacurium · Short-acting non-depolarising neuromuscular blocker
- Rapid Sequence Induction (RSI) · DAS 2015 / AAGBI
- ICU Sedation and Analgesia · SCCM / NICE CG83
- Vasopressor Escalation in Shock · Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2021
- Tracheostomy Management · NTSP / ICS guidelines
- Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus · BAD; EULAR
- Osteoporosis / Fragility Fracture · NOGG 2021; NICE NG147; NG224
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.