PEG Scale — Pain, Enjoyment of Life and General Activity
3-item brief chronic pain measure assessing average pain intensity, pain interference with enjoyment of life, and pain interference with general activity. Each item 0–10. Mean score 0–10. Validated for monitoring chronic pain outcomes in primary care and palliative settings.
Score interpretation
PEG 0–3 — mild pain with low functional interference
→ Paracetamol / NSAIDs as appropriate; non-pharmacological approaches (heat, TENS, physiotherapy); reassess at next review; monitor for escalation; encourage activity pacing
PEG 4–6 — moderate pain significantly affecting QoL
→ Optimise current analgesia per WHO analgesic ladder; consider weak opioids or adjuvants (amitriptyline, pregabalin for neuropathic component); pain clinic referral if not responding; psychological pain management; occupational therapy for functional impairment; reassess in 4–6 weeks
PEG 7–10 — severe pain with major impact on function and QoL
→ Urgent pain review or palliative care consultation; consider strong opioids; titrate morphine or oxycodone to adequate analgesia; address neuropathic, bone, or visceral pain components specifically; psychological support (CBT for pain); consider interventional pain procedures; ensure comfort care goals aligned with patient wishes; family support
Interpretation bands for the PEG Scale. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Krebs EE et al. Development and initial validation of the PEG, a three-item scale assessing pain intensity and interference. J Gen Intern Med. 2009;24(6):733–738.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for Pain · Pain Assessment
- Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) · Pain Assessment
- Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) for Ventilated Patients · Pain Assessment
- Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale (PAINAD) · Pain Assessment
- Abbey Pain Scale for Dementia · Pain Assessment
- DN4 Questionnaire for Neuropathic Pain · Pain Assessment
- Fentanyl Transdermal Patch (Elderly Chronic Pain) · Opioid Analgesic — Transdermal Patch
- Morphine Slow-Release (Elderly Chronic Pain) · Opioid Analgesic — Modified-Release Oral
- Amitriptyline · TCA — Interstitial Cystitis / Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Pindolol · Non-selective β-blocker (with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity)
- Omalizumab (Dermatology — Chronic Urticaria) · Anti-IgE Monoclonal Antibody
- Methoxyflurane · Inhaled Analgesic — Acute Pain
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.