Predictors of physical and emotional recovery 6 and 12 months after surgery

Navigating the Long Haul: A Comprehensive Review of Long-COVID Sequelae, Patient Impact, Pathogenesis, and Management

Long COVID, characterized by persistent symptoms following a SARS-CoV-2 infection, presents a significant public health challenge with wide-ranging implications. This comprehensive review explores the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, risk factors, diagnosis, patient impact, management strategies, and long-term prognosis of COVID. Despite a varied symptomatology that spans multiple organ systems, including respiratory, neurological, and cardiovascular systems, this condition is primarily associated with chronic inflammation and potential viral persistence. Prevalence varies, influenced by the initial infection severity, demographic factors, and pre-existing conditions. The review emphasizes the necessity for healthcare systems to adapt to the needs of long-COVID patients by developing standardized diagnostic criteria and personalized, multidisciplinary treatment approaches. Current research gaps and future directions are identified, highlighting the urgent need for further studies on pathophysiological mechanisms and effective therapeutic interventions. This review aims to inform healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers, enhancing patient care and guiding ongoing and future research initiatives. The continuing global focus and collaborative efforts offer hope for improved outcomes for those affected by long COVID, marking an essential step towards addressing this emergent condition comprehensively.

Sex differences in pain catastrophizing and its relation to the transition from acute pain to chronic pain

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE

Differences exist between sexes in pain and pain-related outcomes, such as development of chronic pain. Previous studies suggested a higher risk for pain chronification in female patients. Furthermore, pain catastrophizing is an important risk factor for chronification of pain. However, it is unclear whether sex differences in catastrophic thinking could explain the sex differences in pain chronification.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine sex differences in pain catastrophizing. Additionally, we investigated pain catastrophizing as a potential mediator of sex differences in the transition of acute to chronic pain.

DESIGN, SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS

Adults visiting one of the 15 participating emergency departments in the Netherlands with acute pain-related complaints. Subjects had to meet inclusion criteria and complete questionnaires about their health and pain.

OUTCOMES MEASURE AND ANALYSIS

The outcomes in this prospective cohort study were pain catastrophizing (short form pain catastrophizing) and pain chronification at 90 days (Numeric Rating Scale ≥ 1). Data was analysed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression models. Finally, stratified regression analyses were conducted to assess whether differences in pain catastrophizing accounted for observed differences in pain chronification between sexes.

MAIN RESULTS

In total 1,906 patients were included. Females catastrophized pain significantly more than males (p < 0.001). Multiple regression analyses suggested that pain catastrophizing is associated with pain chronification in both sexes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reported differences between sexes in catastrophic cognitions in the development of chronic pain. This is possibly of clinical importance to identify high-risk patients and ensure an early intervention to prevent the transition from acute to chronic pain.

The long-term incidence of chronic post-surgical pain after coronary artery bypass surgery - A prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) represents a significant issue for many patients following surgery; however, the long-term incidence and impact have not been well described following cardiac surgery. Our aim was to characterize CPSP at least 5 years following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.

METHODS

This prospective observational study investigated a cohort of patients from a larger trial investigating cognitive outcomes following CABG surgery, with 89 of 148 eligible patients (60.1%) assessed for CPSP at a mean (standard deviation [SD]) of 6.8 [1.2] years. Questionnaires interrogated pain presence, intensity, location, neuropathic characteristics, Geriatric Depression Scale scores (GDS) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL).

RESULTS

CPSP was described in 21/89 (23.6%), with 10 rating it as moderate to severe. Six of the CPSP patients (29%) met criteria for neuropathic pain (6.7% overall). The highest rate of CPSP was associated with the leg surgical site (chest 12/89 [13.5%], arm 8/68 [11.8%] and leg (saphenous vein graft-SVG) 11/37 [29.7%]; χ2  = 6.523, p = 0.038). IADL scores were significantly lower for patients with CPSP (mean [SD]: 36.7 [1.6] vs. no CPSP 40.6 [0.6]; p = 0.006). Patients had GDS scores consistent with moderate depression (GDS >8) in 3/21 (14.3%) with CPSP, versus 3/68 (4.4%) non-CPSP patients (χ2  = 3.20, p = 0.073).

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified a CPSP incidence of 23.6% at a mean of 6.8 years after CABG surgery, with the highest pain proportion at SVG harvest sites. CPSP was associated with neuropathic pain symptoms and had a significant impact on IADLs. This emphasizes the need for long-term follow-up of CABG patients.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study highlights the impact of CPSP 7 years following cardiac surgery and highlights the effect of surgical site, neuropathic pain and the importance of including pain assessment and management in the long-term follow-up of cardiac surgical patients. Strategies to address and prevent chronic pain following cardiac surgery should be further explored.

Risk factors and protective factors of acute postoperative pain: an observational study at a German university hospital with cross-sectional and longitudinal inpatient data

OBJECTIVES

Surgical fear is one of the most important psychological risk factors for postoperative pain, but less is known about the contribution of protective factors. This study investigated somatic and psychological risk and resilience factors of postoperative pain and validated the German version of the Surgical Fear Questionnaire (SFQ).

SETTING

University Hospital of Marburg, Germany.

DESIGN

Single-centre observational study and cross-sectional validation study.

PARTICIPANTS

Data for validating the SFQ were obtained from a cross-sectional observational study (N=198, mean age 43.6 years, 58.8% female) with persons undergoing different kinds of elective surgery. A sample of N=196 (mean age 43.0 years, 45.4% female) undergoing elective (orthopaedic) surgery was analysed to investigate somatic and psychological predictors of relevant acute postsurgical pain (APSP).

OUTCOME MEASURES

Participants completed preoperative and postoperative assessments at postoperative days 1, 2 and 7. Presurgical pain, age, gender, pain expectation, surgical setting, physical status, anaesthesia, surgical fear, pain catastrophising, depression, optimism and self-efficacy were examined as predictors.

RESULTS

Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the original two-factor structure of the SFQ. Correlation analyses indicated good convergent and divergent validity. Internal consistency (Cronbach's α) was between 0.85 and 0.89. Blockwise logistic regression analyses for the risk of APSP revealed outpatient setting, higher preoperative pain, younger age, more surgical fear and low dispositional optimism as significant predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

The German SFQ is a valid, reliable and economical instrument with which the important psychological predictor surgical fear can be assessed. Modifiable factors that increase the risk of postoperative pain were higher pain intensity before surgery and being fearful about negative consequences of the surgery whereas positive expectations seem to buffer against postsurgical pain.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS

DRKS00021764 and DRKS00021766.

Prevalence and Predictors of Chronic Postsurgical Pain After Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Determining the prevalence of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and identifying CPSP predictors should improve the prognosis of patients undergoing VATS. Although several studies have investigated predictors of CPSP after VATS, there were significant dissimilarities in the findings due to the confounding of predictors.

METHODS

PubMed, Cochrane, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were comprehensively searched using the Medical Subject Headings terms "pain, postoperative," "thoracic surgery, video-assisted," and all related free terms from inception until March 27, 2022. The Stata metaprop package was used to comprehensively analyze the incidence of CPSP following VATS. Furthermore, the pooled odds ratios (OR) or the standardized mean differences (SMD) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated, and qualitative analyses were performed for predictors that could not be assessed quantitatively to evaluate the effects of the included risk factors on the occurrence of CPSP. Unadjusted odds ratios were utilized to consider the impact of non-significant estimates if the original study did not report them.

RESULTS

Of the 4302 studies, 183 were considered eligible, and 17 were finally included in this study. The overall incidence of CPSP after VATS was 35.3% (95% CI 27.1-43.5%). The qualitative synthesis results revealed that female sex, age, and acute postoperative pain were definite predictors of CPSP after VATS. The number of ports, operation time, duration of drainage, and insufficient analgesia were also considered predictors. Consistent, quantitative synthesis results also showed that the aforementioned predictors were closely related to the occurrence of CPSP after VATS. Only by quantitative analysis, postoperative chemotherapy and an educational level less than junior school were also risk factors for CPSP. Other predictors displayed no evidence or unclear evidence of association with CPSP after VATS.

CONCLUSION

This study preliminarily determined the incidence of CPSP after VATS based on the existing literature. Female sex, age, and acute pain were identified as risk factors for CPSP after VATS, and other potential risk factors were also identified and analyzed. However, as a result of the inclusion of retrospective studies and inevitable limitations in this systematic review and meta-analysis, the results of this study still need to be verified by large-scale prospective clinical studies.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

CRD42022323179.

Pain severity at emergency department discharge as a predictor for chronification of pain

Introduction

Inadequate pain management remains a problem in the emergency department (ED) and might increase the risk of chronic pain. Previous studies suggested that pain intensity is associated with pain chronification in specific patient groups. This study aims to study the association between pain intensity {[verbal] numeric rating scale ([V]NRS) ≥ 7} at discharge from the ED and pain chronification in the general population.

Objective

To assess whether a high pain score at discharge from the ED increases the risk of chronic pain development.

Methods

Adults who visited the ED with pain as their main complaint, and who were not hospitalized, were eligible for inclusion. Chronic pain was defined as pain with an (V)NRS score ≥1 90 days after the ED visit and with a similar location to the acute pain.

Results

We included 1906 patients, of whom 825 participants completed 90 days of follow-up. Approximately 34.1% left the ED with an (V)NRS score ≥7, and 67.8% reported an (V)NRS score of ≥1 90 at days. Of all patients leaving the ED with an (V)NRS score ≥7, 76.5% developed chronic pain vs 63.2% of patients with (V)NRS score <7 (P < 0.01). After correction, this difference was borderline statistically significant with an odds ratio of 1.45 (95% confidence interval: 0.99-2.13, P = 0.054). Various sensitivity analyses using a different (V)NRS at discharge and different definitions of chronic pain at 90 days showed a significant difference in the chronification of pain.

Conclusion

This study suggests that pain intensity at discharge from the ED, regardless of the localization or cause of pain, increased the risk of developing chronic pain. By distinguishing patients at risk and providing an effective treatment, chronic pain and the associated burden of disease might be preventable.

Efficacy of the Gelstix nucleus augmentation device for the treatment of chronic discogenic low back pain: protocol for a randomised, sham-controlled, double-blind, multicentre trial

INTRODUCTION

Discogenic pain is the cause of pain in 26%-40% of patients with for low back pain. Consensus about treatment of chronic discogenic low back pain is lacking and most treatment alternatives are supported by limited evidence. The percutaneous implantation of hydrogels into the nucleus pulposus represents a promising regenerative intradiscal therapy. The hydrogel 'GelStix' is composed primarily of hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile and acts as a reservoir of hydration, producing increased pressure and improved pH balance, potentially leading to disc preservation. We hypothesise that treatment with GelStix will lead to greater reduction in pain intensity at 6 months post-treatment compared with patients receiving sham treatment.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a parallel group, randomised sham-controlled double-blind, multicentre trial to assess whether the GelStix device is superior to sham in reducing pain intensity in patients with chronic discogenic low back pain. The study will be conducted in two regional hospitals in Europe. Seventy-two participants will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome will be the change in pain intensity between preoperative baseline and at 6 months postintervention. Secondary outcomes were disability, quality of life, the patient's global impression of change scale, the use of pain medication and the disc degeneration process assessed by means of MRI. For change in pain intensity, disability, health-related quality of life and disc height, mean values will be compared between groups using linear regression analysis, adjusted for treatment centre.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Canton Ticino, Switzerland (CE2982) and by the Medical Ethical Committee Arnhem-Nijmegen, the Netherlands (2016-2944). All patients that agree to participate will be asked to sign an informed consent form. Results will be disseminated through international publications in peer-reviewed journals, in addition to international conference presentations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02763956.

PROTOCOL VERSION

7.1, 18 November 2020.

A Narrative Review on Perioperative Pain Management Strategies in Enhanced Recovery Pathways-The Past, Present and Future

Effective pain management is a key component in the continuum of perioperative care to ensure optimal outcomes for surgical patients. The overutilization of opioids in the past few decades for postoperative pain control has been a major contributor to the current opioid epidemic. Multimodal analgesia (MMA) and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways have been repeatedly shown to significantly improve postoperative outcomes such as pain, function and satisfaction. The current review aims to examine the history of perioperative MMA strategies in ERAS and provide an update with recent evidence. Furthermore, this review details recent advancements in personalized pain medicine. We speculate that the next important step for improving perioperative pain management could be through incorporating these personalized metrics, such as clinical pharmacogenomic testing and patient-reported outcome measurements, into ERAS program.

A randomized controlled TRIal of cognitive BEhavioral therapy for high Catastrophizing in patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery: the TRIBECA study

Background

Around 20% of patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery have persistent back or leg pain despite surgery. Pain catastrophizing is the strongest psychological predictor for chronic postsurgical pain. Psychological variables are modifiable and could be target for intervention. However, randomized controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of psychological interventions to reduce chronic pain and disability after spinal fusion in a population of patients with high preoperative pain catastrophizing scores are missing. The aim of our study is to examine whether an intervention targeting pain catastrophizing mitigates the risk of chronic postsurgical pain and disability. Our primary hypothesis is that targeted perioperative cognitive behavioral therapy decreases the risk of chronic postsurgical pain and disability after spinal fusion surgery in high catastrophizing patients.

Methods

We will perform a two-center prospective, single-blind, randomized, controlled study comparing lumbar spinal fusion surgery outcome between 2 cohorts. Adult patients selected for lumbar spinal fusion with decompression surgery and a minimum score of 24 on the pain catastrophizing scale will be randomized with 1:1 allocation for either perioperative cognitive behavioral therapy (intervention group) or a perioperative education plus progressive exercise program (control group). Patients randomized to the intervention group will receive six individual sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy, two sessions before the operation and four after. Primary outcome is the Core Outcome Measures Index at 12 months. Secondary outcomes include pain, disability, depression and quality of life.

Discussion

This is the first trial that evaluates the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy as a perioperative tool to improve pain and disability after spinal fusion surgery in comparison with an educational/exercise control intervention, in patients with high levels of pain catastrophizing. If perioperative cognitive behavioral therapy proves to be effective, this might have important clinical implications, reducing the incidence of chronic postsurgical pain and improving outcome after spinal fusion surgery.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials (NCT03969602). Registered 31 May 2019,

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment for a Recognizable Pattern of Somatic Dysfunction Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Context

Previous literature has demonstrated the prevalence and socioeconomic impact of postoperative pain in surgery patients. Somatic dysfunction has been demonstrated as a cause, but literature documenting osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in surgery patients is lacking.

Objective

To describe typical patterns of and common treatments for somatic dysfunction in patients following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods

The authors retrospectively reviewed the billing records of all patients over 18 years of age who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy by a single surgeon and had postoperative outpatient OMT for right-side pain linked to somatic dysfunction between 2006 and 2018 at a community hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Patients who underwent open cholecystectomy, who did not have documented somatic dysfunction, or had somatic dysfunction unrelated to their biliary disease were excluded.

Results

Nine patients were selected for inclusion in this retrospective case series. All patients in the study demonstrated anterior right lower rib pain corresponding to posterior lower rib dysfunctions and rotated right and side-bent left thoracic spine dysfunctions between T5 and T11. Pain was successfully managed with muscle energy, high-velocity, low-amplitude, or soft tissue OMT.

Conclusion

Postoperative pain following laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be related to right-sided thoracic and rib dysfunctions. This is important for early diagnosis of surgical patients with somatic dysfunction and initiation of appropriate OMT to decrease morbidity related to pain, functional status, and quality of life.

The Influence of Comorbidity on Health-Related Quality of Life After Esophageal Cancer Surgery

BACKGROUND

Esophageal cancer surgery reduces patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study examined whether comorbidities influence HRQoL in these patients.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included esophageal cancer patients having undergone curatively intended esophagectomy at St Thomas' Hospital London in 2011-2015. Clinical data were collected from patient reports and medical records. Well-validated cancer-specific and esophageal cancer-specific questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-OG25) were used to assess HRQoL before and 6 months after esophagectomy. Number of comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification (ASA), and specific comorbidities were analyzed in relation to HRQoL aspects using multivariable linear regression models. Mean score differences with 95% confidence intervals were adjusted for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Among 136 patients, those with three or more comorbidities at the time of surgery had poorer global quality of life and physical function and more fatigue compared with those with no comorbidity. Patients with ASA III-IV reported more problems with the above HRQoL aspects and worse social function and pain compared with those with ASA I-II. Cardiac comorbidity was associated with worse global quality of life and dyspnea, while pulmonary comorbidities were related to coughing. Patients assessed both before and 6 months after surgery (n = 80) deteriorated in most HRQoL aspects regardless of comorbidity status, but patients with several comorbidities had worse physical function and fatigue and more trouble with coughing compared with those with fewer comorbidities.

CONCLUSION

Comorbidity appears to negatively influence HRQoL before esophagectomy, but appears not to severely impact 6-month recovery of HRQoL.

Optimism and Psychological Resilience are Beneficially Associated With Measures of Clinical and Experimental Pain in Adults With or at Risk for Knee Osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVES

This cross-sectional study examined the associations among optimism, psychological resilience, endogenous pain inhibition, and clinical knee pain severity. Two hypotheses were tested. First, we hypothesized that experimentally tested endogenous pain inhibition would mediate the relationship between optimism and clinical knee pain severity. Second, it was also hypothesized that optimism would moderate the relationships of psychological resilience with endogenous pain inhibition and clinical knee pain severity, particularly for individuals with high optimism.

METHODS

A total of 150 individuals with or at risk for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis completed the Life Orientation Test-Revised, the Brief Resilience Scale, and the revised Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire-2 to assess optimism, psychological resilience, and clinical knee pain severity, respectively. Endogenous pain inhibition was examined experimentally using a conditioned pain modulation (CPM) protocol with algometry (test stimulus) and a cold pressor task (conditioning stimulus).

RESULTS

As hypothesized, results showed that increased CPM significantly mediated the association between higher optimism and lower clinical knee pain severity. Further, optimism moderated the association between psychological resilience and CPM. However, contrary to our hypothesis, greater psychological resilience was associated with enhanced CPM in individuals with low optimism only.

DISCUSSION

This study suggests that an optimistic outlook may beneficially impact clinical pain severity by altering endogenous pain modulatory capacity. Furthermore, individuals with low optimism (ie, pessimists) may be more adept at engaging resources that promote psychological resilience, which in turn, enhances endogenous pain modulatory capacity. Therefore, this study supports consideration of psychological resilience factors when evaluating experimental and clinical pain outcomes.

Optimism and the Experience of Pain: A Systematic Review

A growing body of literature provides evidence of the health-promoting effects of optimism, including its protective role in acute and chronic pain. Optimists are characterized by positive expectations concerning the future. These positive outcome expectancies lead to more and longer goal-directed efforts and the use of approach coping strategies. No systematic review on the effects of optimism on the experience of pain has so far been conducted. A search in the databases PubMed, Web of Science and PsycInfo, and the scanning of reference lists identified 69 eligible studies. These were categorized according to sample size, participants' age and sex, design, optimism-pain relation as primary vs. secondary study objective, and level of study/publication quality. Overall percentages of positive, zero, and negative associations between optimism and pain as well as relative frequencies of these associations in the different categories were analyzed. About 70% of the studies showed a positive, i.e., beneficial association between optimism and at least one pain outcome. A larger percentage of beneficial associations was found in studies with experimental designs, in studies with the optimism-pain relation as primary objective, in high-quality studies/publications, and in studies including participants with a higher average age. The review suggests that optimism is associated with less acute and chronic pain, especially since a higher percentage of beneficial associations was found with high study/publication quality and with the primary focus on this relationship. For the moderating role of age, different explanations are proposed. Further research on causal relationships and on optimism-fostering clinical interventions is needed.

PRERECORDED HYPNOTIC PERI-SURGICAL INTERVENTION TO ALLEVIATE RISK OF CHRONIC POSTSURGICAL PAIN IN TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED PILOT STUDY

This pilot study evaluated the effect sizes associated with prerecorded hypnotic interventions provided during the perisurgical period for reducing risk factors associated with chronic postsurgical pain, including acute postsurgical pain, anxiety, depression, and pain catastrophizing. A total of 25 participants (N = -25) were randomly assigned to receive a hypnotic intervention (n = 8), minimal-effect treatment (n = 8), or treatment as usual (n = 9) during their hospital stay for total knee replacement (TKR). Participants were followed for 6 months after hospital discharge. Results indicate that prerecorded hypnotic intervention exerted medium effects for reducing acute postsurgical pain and large effects for reducing perisurgical anxiety and pain catastrophizing. The findings indicate that a fully powered clinical trial to evaluate the beneficial effects of prerecorded hypnosis to manage pain and psychological distress in patients undergoing TKR is warranted.

The effect of therapeutic listening on anxiety and fear among surgical patients: randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of therapeutic listening on state anxiety and surgical fears in preoperative colorectal cancer patients.

METHOD

A randomized controlled trial with 50 patients randomly allocated in the intervention group (therapeutic listening) (n = 25) or in the control group (n = 25). The study evaluated the changes in the variables state anxiety, surgical fears and physiological variables (salivary alpha-amylase, salivary cortisol, heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure).

RESULTS

In the comparison of the variables in the control and intervention groups in pre- and post-intervention, differences between the two periods for the variables cortisol (p=0.043), heart rate (p=0.034) and surgical fears (p=0.030) were found in the control group, which presented reduction in the values ​​of these variables.

CONCLUSION

There was no reduction in the levels of the variables state anxiety and surgical fears resulting from the therapeutic listening intervention, either through the physiological or psychological indicators. However, the contact with the researcher during data collection, without stimulus to reflect on the situation, may have generated the results of the control group. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT02455128.

Pre-surgery beliefs about pain and surgery as predictors of acute and chronic post-surgical pain: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Chronic pain post-surgical pain (CPSP) is common and has far-reaching negative consequences for patients, yet relatively few studies have evaluated the impact of both deficit- and resource-based beliefs about pain and surgery on subjective intensities of acute and chronic post-surgical pain. To address this issue a prospective cohort study was performed.

METHOD

259 consecutive surgery patients from general surgery, gynecology, and thoracic departments completed a self-report battery of demographics, pain experiences, and psychological factors 24 h before surgery (T1) and provided follow-up pain intensity ratings 48 h-72 h after surgery (T2), and at a 4-month follow-up (T3).

RESULTS

In the hierarchical regression model for acute post-operative pain intensity, pre-surgery pain self-efficacy beliefs made a significant unique contribution independent of all other pre-surgery and surgery-related factors (i.e., age, presence of pre-surgical pain, type of anesthesia, surgery duration). In the prediction model for intensity of chronic post-surgical pain, beliefs about long-term effects of surgery had a unique impact after controlling other significant pre-surgery and surgery influences (gender, education, surgery time).

CONCLUSION

Results underscored the potential utility of considering specific pre-surgery pain- and surgery-related beliefs as factors that predict patient experiences of acute and chronic post-operative pain.

Towards a science and practice of resilience in the face of pain

The primary objective of this paper is to discuss how a resilience approach to (chronic) pain may advance our current understanding of (mal)adaptation to pain. Different resilience perspectives are described, and future challenges for research, prevention and treatment of (chronic) pain are discussed. Literature searches were performed in Web of Science and PubMed to identify relevant literature on risk and resilience in the context of pain. Resilience can be best defined as the ability to restore and sustain living a fulfilling life in the presence of pain. The Psychological Flexibility Model, the Broaden-and-Build Theory, and Self-Determination Theory are described as theories that may provide insight into resilience within the context of (chronic) pain. We describe how a resilience paradigm shifts the outcomes to pursue in pain research and intervention and argue the need for including positive outcomes in addition to negative outcomes. Psychological flexibility, positive affect and basic psychological needs satisfaction are described as potentially important resilience mechanisms with the potential to target both sustainability and recovery from pain. A resilience approach to chronic pain may have important implications for the prevention and treatment of chronic pain problems, as it may give specific indications on how to empower patients to continue living a fulfilling life (in the presence of pain).

SIGNIFICANCE

The resilience approach put forward in this review spotlights sustainability of positive outcomes (e.g. engagement in meaningful activities) in the presence of pain as an outcome to pursue beyond recovery of negative outcomes. We illuminate the evidence-base and practical application of promising resilience mechanisms (positive emotions, psychological flexibility, needs satisfaction). For this article, a commentary is available at the Wiley Online Library.

Prevalence of pain 6 months after surgery: a prospective observational study

Background

Pain after surgery is a major issue for patient discomfort and often associated with delayed recovery. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of pain and requirement for analgesics up to 6 months after elective surgery, independent if new pain symptoms occurred after surgery or if preoperative pain persisted in the postoperative period.

Methods

A prospective observational single center cohort study was conducted between January 2012 and August 2013. Eligible patients were scheduled to undergo elective surgical interventions including joint (hip, knee arthroplasty), back (nucleotomy, spondylodesis), or urological surgery (cystectomy, prostatectomy, nephrectomy). Pain was assessed on an 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS) before, on postoperative day 2 and 6 months after surgery. Clinical information was collected with structured questionnaires and by telephone interview.

Results

Six hundred and forty-four patients gave informed consent, including 54.4 % men (mean age 62.2, SD 14.3). Higher preoperative pain scores were found in patients undergoing joint (mean 7.6; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 7.2–8.0) and back surgery (mean 7.1, CI: 6.8–7.5) than in patients prior to urological surgery (mean 2.3; CI: 1.8–2.8). After 6 months, about 50 % of patients after joint or back surgery indicated pain levels ≥3/10, compared to 15.9 % of patients after urological surgery (p < .001). 35.3 % of the patients after joint surgery and 41.3 % after back surgery still use pain medication 6 months postoperatively, in contrast to 7.3 % of patients after urological surgery. 13.6 % of patients who underwent back surgery indicated the regular intake of opioids.

Conclusions

Our results reveal that a significant percentage of patients undergoing procedures in joint or back surgery still need pain medication up to 6 months postoperatively due to ongoing pain symptoms. Improved monitoring of pain management is warranted, especially after discharge from hospital, to improve long-term results.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT01488617); date of registration December 6th 2011.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12871-016-0261-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Chronic postsurgical pain in patients 5 years after cardiac surgery: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) is a common complication after many surgical procedures, including cardiac surgery. The prevalence of CPSP after cardiac surgery ranges from 9.5% to 56%. Most studies on CPSP after cardiac surgery are retrospective and long-term prospective studies are scarce. The aim of this study was to follow CPSP and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) prospectively in a cohort of patients, emphasizing the prevalence from 12 months to 5 years.

METHODS

A total of 534 patients (23% ≥75 years, 67% men) were consecutively included before surgery. Study-specific questionnaires and the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) were used to measure CPSP at baseline, 12 months and 5-year follow-up. Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to measure HRQOL.

RESULTS

Among 458 patients who were alive after 5 years, 82% responded (n = 373). The majority, 89.8% (335/373), did not report CPSP, neither 12 months nor 5 years after surgery. Among the 38 patients who reported CPSP after 12 months, 24 (63%) patients did not report CPSP after 5 years. The overall prevalence of CPSP after 5 years was 3.8% (14/373). Patients reporting CPSP and resolved CPSP had lower scores on HRQOL and more pain preoperatively than patients who did not report CPSP.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of CPSP was lower in this study than previously reported. Among the patients reporting CPSP at 12 months, 63% did not report CPSP after 5 years. Hence, the observed decline in CPSP is in line with studies evaluating CPSP in noncardiac surgery.

SIGNIFICANCE

The prevalence of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) at 5 years after surgery of 3.8% is lower than previously reported. The majority of patients reporting CPSP after 12 months did not report CPSP after 5 years.

Pain in an era of armed conflicts: Prevention and treatment for warfighters and civilian casualties

Chronic pain is a common squealae of military- and terror-related injuries. While its pathophysiology has not yet been fully elucidated, it may be potentially related to premorbid neuropsychobiological status, as well as to the type of injury and to the neural alterations that it may evoke. Accordingly, optimized approaches for wounded individuals should integrate primary, secondary and tertiary prevention in the form of thorough evaluation of risk factors along with specific interventions to contravene and mitigate the ensuing chronicity. Thus, Premorbid Events phase may encompass assessments of psychological and neurobiological vulnerability factors in conjunction with fostering preparedness and resilience in both military and civilian populations at risk. Injuries per se phase calls for immediate treatment of acute pain in the field by pharmacological agents that spare and even enhance coping and adaptive capabilities. The key objective of the Post Injury Events is to prevent and/or reverse maladaptive peripheral- and central neural system's processes that mediate transformation of acute to chronic pain and to incorporate timely interventions for concomitant mental health problems including post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction We suggest that the proposed continuum of care may avert more disability and suffering than the currently employed less integrated strategies. While the requirements of the armed forces present a pressing need for this integrated continuum and a framework in which it can be most readily implemented, this approach may be also instrumental for the care of civilian casualties.

[Pain assessment in routine care : A prospective observational study in an orthopedic unit]

INTRODUCTION

Although well-established guidelines give advice on how to use analgesics, measure pain, and organize pain treatment, many patients still suffer from avoidable severe pain. We assume one reason for this is that pain is inadequately addressed in routine patient contacts. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the extent to which pain was addressed during patient contacts in routine orthopedic care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a prospective observational study in an orthopedic unit of a university hospital, we invited physicians and nurses during their routine patient contacts to be observed by independent, trained monitors. The monitors systematically assessed all pain-related aspects, which were analyzed descriptively afterwards.

RESULTS

The monitors documented 572 physician-patient contacts with 7 physicians and 108 patients and 578 nurse-patient contacts with 12 nurses and 102 patients. Physicians and nurses asked their patients about pain in 20 and 16 % of the patient contacts, respectively. While in physician-patient contacts, patients most frequently addressed their current pain situation (in 35 % of contacts), in nurse-patient contacts, patients most frequently addressed their need for analgesics (52 %). Patients rated their pain intensity in 16 % of physician-patient contacts vs. 17 % of nurse-patient contacts.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a comprehensive external monitoring procedure, we found that systematic pain assessment was not optimally standardized and implemented for systematic, individualized pain therapy by physicians or nurses in our routine care setting.

Chronic post-thyroidectomy pain: Incidence, typology, and risk factors

Chronic postoperative pain exists in varying degrees for every type of surgery. An evaluation of the incidence, the typology and predictive factors of chronic pain was carried out at 3 and 6months after thyroidectomy. A prospective observational study, having included each of the patients prior to their thyroidectomy, was carried out over 12months. The patients used an 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS), a neuropathic pain screening questionnaire (DN4), an evaluation scale for anxiety and for the need for information related to anaesthesia and surgery (APAIS), a questionnaire describing pain (QDSA) and a questionnaire evaluating neuropathic pain (NPSI) before surgery and at three and six months later. Three hundred and four patients were included. The questionnaires were completed by 251 patients (57 males and 194 females) at 3 and 6months (82%). At 3months, 31 out of 251 (12%) patients mentioned a DN4≥3; at 6months, this rate dropped to 23 out of 251 (9%). The average intensity of chronic postoperative pain remained low to moderate. Levels of anxiety and the need for information were higher in patients with postoperative pain at 3 and 6months. In contrast, the number of intraoperative procedures using a bilateral superficial cervical plexus block (BSCPB) was lower in patients with DN4≥3. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the type of anaesthesia procedure interfered with the risk of delayed pain after thyroidectomy. The presence of a DN4≥3 was nearly three-fold greater in patients without BSCPB (OR 2.647, CI=1.198-5.848).

Recuperação cirúrgica retardada: análise do conceito

RESUMOObjetivo:analisar o conceito de recuperação cirúrgica retardada.Método:o modelo de análise de conceito de Rodgers guiou os mecanismos processuais do estudo. Revisão integrativa foi conduzida para alcançar a segunda atividade do modelo adotado. As bases de dados PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE e LILACS foram selecionadas para a busca dos estudos primários.Resultados:Foram incluídos 66 estudos primários e sua a análise permitiu identificar seis atributos, os quais se inter-relacionam e subsidiam a definição do conceito investigado. Experiência prévia (relacionada à cirurgia, fatores fisiológicos, psíquicos ou ambientais), foi o antecedente identificado. Os consequentes foram expressos por manifestações clínicas, reintervenções, dependência de cuidados e redução na qualidade de vida.Conclusão:a definição do conceito foi construída e identificados os antecedentes e consequentes. O uso e significado do conceito recuperação cirúrgica retardada apontam para o uso do qualificador "prejudicada" em substituição ao termo "retardada".

Prevalence and Predictors of Quality of Recovery at Home After Day Surgery

Traditionally, major complications and unanticipated admission/readmission rates were used to assess outcome after day surgery. However, in view of the relative absence of major complications the quality of recovery (QOR) should be considered one of the principal endpoints after day surgery. In our study, the level of QOR is defined by a combination of the Global Surgical Recovery (GSR) Index and the Quality of Life (QOL). The aim of this study was to analyze prevalence and predictors of QOR after day surgery on the fourth postoperative day. Elective patients scheduled for day surgery from November 2008 to April 2010 were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Outcome parameters were measured by using questionnaire packages at 2 time points: 1 week preoperatively and 4 days postoperatively. Primary outcome parameter is the QOR and is defined as good if the GSR index >80% as well as the postoperative QOL is unchanged or improved as compared with baseline. QOR is defined as poor if both the GSR index ≤ 80% and if the postoperative QOL is decreased as compared with baseline. QOR is defined as intermediate in all other cases. Three logistic regression analyses were performed to determine predictors for poor QOR after day surgery. A total of 1118 patients were included. A good QOR was noted in 17.3% of patients, an intermediate QOR in 34.8%, and a poor QOR in 47.8% 4 days after day surgery. The best predictor for poor QOR after day surgery was type of surgery. Other predictors were younger age, work status, and longer duration of surgery. A history of previous surgery, expected pain (by the patient) and high long-term surgical fear were significant predictors of poor QOR in only 1 of 3 prediction models. The QOR at home 4 days after day surgery was poor in the majority of patients and showed a significant procedure-specific variation. Patients at risk for poor QOR can be identified during the preoperative period based on type of surgery, age, work status, and the duration of the surgery.

The Role of Psychological Factors in Persistent Pain After Cesarean Delivery

This French multicenter prospective cohort study recruited 391 patients to investigate the risk factors for persistent pain after elective cesarean delivery, focusing on psychosocial aspects adjusted for other known medical factors. Perioperative data were collected and specialized questionnaires were completed to assess reports of pain at the site of surgery. Three dependent outcomes were considered: pain at the third month after surgery (M3, n = 268; risk = 28%), pain at the sixth month after surgery (M6, n = 239; risk = 19%), and the cumulative incidence (up to M6) of neuropathic pain, as assessed using the Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaire (n = 218; risk = 24.5%). The neuropathic aspect of reported pain changed over time in more than 60% of cases, pain being more intense if associated with neuropathic features. Whatever the dependent outcome, a high mental component of quality of life (SF-36) was protective. Pain at M3 was also predicted by pain reported during current pregnancy and a history of miscarriage. Pain at M6 was also predicted by report of a postoperative complication. Incident neuropathic pain was predicted by pain reported during current pregnancy, a previous history of a peripheral neuropathic event, and preoperative anxiety.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00812734.

PERSPECTIVE

Persistent pain after cesarean delivery has a relatively frequent neuropathic aspect but this is less stable than that after other surgeries. When comparing the risk factor analyses with published data for hysterectomy, the influence of preoperative psychological factors seems less important, possibly because of the different context and environment.

A more pessimistic life orientation is associated with experimental inducibility of a neuropathy-like pain pattern in healthy individuals

The clinical pattern of neuropathic pain, diagnosed using the quantitative sensory testing (QST) battery (German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain), could be partly mimicked in healthy volunteers after topical capsaicin application. However, similar to clinical neuropathic pain that develops in only a subgroup of patients who have a neurologic lesion, this attempt to mimick a neuropathic pain pattern succeeded only in a small fraction (18%) of healthy individuals. In the present assessment, we pursued the hypothesis that the inducible subgroup differed from the other healthy participants with respect to their psychological phenotype. Therefore, in an observational study, participants were assessed using a comprehensive set of psychological variables comprising general psychological and pain-related cognitive-emotional mechanisms. The sum scores of the questionnaires were significantly linearly correlated with each other. Principal component analysis indicated that a major source of variance (46%) could be attributed to dispositional optimism examined via the Life Orientation Test (LOT). The LOT score significantly differed between the groups of participants, either those in whom a neuropathy-like pattern of pain assessed via QST could be partly (50-60% of the 11 QST parameters) induced (n = 20) or not (n = 90; P = .0375). It emerged again as the main selection criterion in a classification and regression tree predicting a participant's group assignment (inducible neuropathy-like QST pattern versus noninducible neuropathy-like QST pattern) at a cross-validated accuracy of 95.5 ± 2.1%. Thus, the few participants in a random sample of healthy volunteers who, after topical capsaicin application, partly resemble (to a degree of about 60%) the clinical pattern of neuropathic pain in the QST test battery, are preselectable on the basis of psychological factors, with a particular emphasis on pessimistic life attitudes.

PERSPECTIVE

In a small fraction of 18% of healthy volunteers, topical capsaicin application resulted in a neuropathy-like pattern in 50 to 60% of the components of a clinical test battery. These individuals displayed a more pessimistic life attitude as assessed by means of the LOT.

Persistent pain and neurosensory disturbance after dental implant surgery: pathophysiology, etiology, and diagnosis

Many studies have documented the successful outcomes of dental implants, but have also reported the association of sensory disturbances with the surgical implant procedure. Postsurgical pain is a normal response to tissue injury, and usually resolves after the tissue heals. However, some patients who receive dental implants experience persistent pain even after normal healing. This article describes the basic anatomy and pathophysiology associated with nerve injury. The incidence and diagnosis of these problems, in addition to factors that result in the development of chronic persistent neuropathic pain and sensory disturbances associated with surgical implant placement, are discussed.

Validation of the surgical fear questionnaire in adult patients waiting for elective surgery

OBJECTIVES

Because existing instruments for assessing surgical fear seem either too general or too limited, the Surgical Fear Questionnaire (SFQ) was developed. The aim of this study is to assess the validity and reliability of the SFQ.

METHODS

Based on existing literature and expert consultation the ten-item SFQ was composed. Data on the SFQ were obtained from 5 prospective studies (N = 3233) in inpatient or day surgery patients. These data were used for exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), reliability analysis and validity analysis.

RESULTS

EFA in Study 1 and 2 revealed a two-factor structure with one factor associated with fear of the short-term consequences of surgery (SFQ-s, item 1-4) and the other factor with fear of the long-term consequences of surgery (SFQ-l, item 5-10). However, in both studies two items of the SFQ-l had low factor loadings. Therefore in Study 3 and 4 the 2-factor structure was tested and confirmed by CFA in an eight-item version of the SFQ. Across all studies significant correlations of the SFQ with pain catastrophizing, state anxiety, and preoperative pain intensity indicated good convergent validity. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was between 0.765-0.920 (SFQ-total), 0.766-0.877 (SFQ-s), and 0.628-0.899 (SFQ-l). The SFQ proved to be sensitive to detect differences based on age, sex, education level, employment status and preoperative pain intensity.

DISCUSSION

The SFQ is a valid and reliable eight-item index of surgical fear consisting of two subscales: fear of the short-term consequences of surgery and fear of the long-term consequences.

Conditioned pain modulation and situational pain catastrophizing as preoperative predictors of pain following chest wall surgery: a prospective observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

Variability in patients' postoperative pain experience and response to treatment challenges effective pain management. Variability in pain reflects individual differences in inhibitory pain modulation and psychological sensitivity, which in turn may be clinically relevant for the disposition to acquire pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of conditioned pain modulation and situational pain catastrophizing on postoperative pain and pain persistency.

METHODS

Preoperatively, 42 healthy males undergoing funnel chest surgery completed the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Beck's Depression Inventory before undergoing a sequential conditioned pain modulation paradigm. Subsequently, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale was introduced and patients were instructed to reference the conditioning pain while answering. Ratings of movement-evoked pain and consumption of morphine equivalents were obtained during postoperative days 2-5. Pain was reevaluated at six months postoperatively.

RESULTS

Patients reporting persistent pain at six months follow-up (n = 15) were not significantly different from pain-free patients (n = 16) concerning preoperative conditioned pain modulation response (Z = 1.0, P = 0.3) or level of catastrophizing (Z = 0.4, P = 1.0). In the acute postoperative phase, situational pain catastrophizing predicted movement-evoked pain, independently of anxiety and depression (β = 1.0, P = 0.007) whereas conditioned pain modulation predicted morphine consumption (β = -0.005, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative conditioned pain modulation and situational pain catastrophizing were not associated with the development of persistent postoperative pain following funnel chest repair. Secondary outcome analyses indicated that conditioned pain modulation predicted morphine consumption and situational pain catastrophizing predicted movement-evoked pain intensity in the acute postoperative phase. These findings may have important implications for developing strategies to treat or prevent acute postoperative pain in selected patients. Pain may be predicted and the malfunctioning pain inhibition mechanism as tested with CPM may be treated with suitable drugs augmenting descending inhibition.

An overview of predictors for persistent neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a pain arising as a direct consequence of a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system. A variety of factors associated with the development of persistent NP have been suggested. The goal of the present article is to provide an overview of current knowledge about prognostic factors for persistent NP. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health model is used as a framework to categorize these predictors. Most reported predictors in the literature were found in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-category of personal factors, especially age and psychological factors, functions and structure, including sensory signs and symptoms. Predictors in the category of environmental factors, activities and participation were less frequently described.

Does severe acute pain provoke lasting changes in attentional and emotional mechanisms of pain-related processing? A longitudinal study

Pain experiences, learning, and genetic factors have been proposed to shape attentional and emotional processes related to pain. We aimed at investigating whether a singular major pain experience also changes cognitive-emotional processing. The influence of acute postoperative pain after cosmetic surgery of the thorax was tested in 80 preoperatively pain-free male individuals. Acute pain was measured as independent variable during the first week postsurgery by pain intensity ratings and the requested analgesic boluses (Patient-Controlled Epidural Analgesia (PCEA)). Pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS)), pain anxiety (Pain Anxiety and Symptom Scale (PASS)), pain hypervigilance (Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire (PVAQ)), and attentional biases to emotionally loaded stimuli (including pain) in a dot-probe task were assessed 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months postsurgery as dependent variables. Hierarchical regression analyses were performed to test whether the 2 acute pain parameters can predict these cognitive-emotional variables. As a rigorous test, significant prediction was required in addition to the prediction of the dependent variables by themselves with lag-1. Acute pain (mainly the pain ratings) appeared to be a significant predictor for PCS, PASS, and PVAQ 1 week after surgery (deltaR(2) = [8.7% to 11.3%]). In contrast, the attentional biases in the dot-probe task could not be predicted by the pain ratings. The levels of pain catastrophizing and pain hypervigilance increased in the acute phase after surgery when influenced by acute pain and declined, along with pain anxiety, during the next 3 months. In conclusion, a one-time intense pain experience, such as acute postoperative pain, appeared to produce at least short-lived changes in the attentional and emotional processing of pain.

Pharmacogenomics of opioids and perioperative pain management

Inadequate pain relief and adverse effects from analgesics remain common in children and adults during the perioperative period. Opioids are the most commonly used analgesics in children and adults to treat perioperative pain. Narrow therapeutic index and a large interpatient variability in response to opioids are clinically significant, with inadequate pain relief at one end of the spectrum and serious side effects, such as respiratory depression and excessive sedation due to relative overdosing, at the other end. Personalizing analgesia during the perioperative period attempts to maximize pain relief while minimizing adverse events from therapy. While various factors influence response to treatment among surgical patients, age, sex, race and pharmacogenetic differences appear to play major roles in predicting outcome. Genetic factors include a subset of genes that modulate the proteins involved in pain perception, pain pathway, analgesic metabolism (pharmacokinetics), transport and receptor signaling (pharmacodynamics). While results from adult genetic studies can provide direction for pediatric studies, they have limited direct applicability, as children's genetic predispositions to analgesic response may be influenced by developmental and behavioral components, altered sensitivity to analgesics and variation in gene-expression patterns. We have reviewed the available evidence on improving and personalizing pain management with opioids and the significance of individualizing analgesia, in order to maximize analgesic effect with minimal adverse effects with opioids. While the early evidence on individual genotype associations with pain, analgesia and opioid adverse outcome are promising, the large amount of conflicting data in the literature suggests that there is a need for larger and more robust studies with appropriate population stratification and consideration of nongenetic and other genetic risk factors. Although the clinical evidence and the prospect of being able to provide point-of-care genotyping to enable clinicians to deliver personalized analgesia for individual patients is still not available, positioning our research to identify all possible major genetic and nongenetic risk factors of an individual patient, advancing less expensive point-of-care genotyping technology and developing easy-to-use personalized clinical decision algorithms will help us to improve current clinical and economic outcomes associated with pain and opioid pain management.

Are psychological predictors of chronic postsurgical pain dependent on the surgical model? A comparison of total knee arthroplasty and breast surgery for cancer

Anxiety, depression, and catastrophizing are generally considered to be predictive of chronic postoperative pain, but this may not be the case after all types of surgery, raising the possibility that the results depend on the surgical model. We assessed the predictive value of these factors for chronic postsurgical pain in 2 different surgical models: total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis (89 patients, 65% women, age = 69 ± 9 years, baseline pain intensity = 4.7 ± 2.1) and breast surgery for cancer (100 patients, 100% women, age = 55 ± 12 years, no preoperative pain). Data were collected before surgery, then 2 days and 3 months after surgery. Anxiety, depression, and catastrophizing were measured with the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and Pain Catastrophizing Scale, respectively. Pain was assessed with the Brief Pain Inventory. Neuropathic pain was detected with the DN4 questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analyses for the total knee arthroplasty and breast surgery models considered together indicated that the presence of clinically meaningful chronic pain at 3 months (pain intensity ≥3/10) was predicted independently by age (P = .04), pain intensity on day 2 (P = .009), and state anxiety (P = .001). Linear regression models also showed that pain magnification, one of the dimensions of catastrophizing, independently predicted chronic pain intensity (P = .04). These results were not affected by the surgical model or by the neuropathic characteristics of the pain. Thus, state anxiety and pain magnification seem to constitute psychological risk factors for chronic postsurgical pain relevant in all surgical models.

PERSPECTIVE

This prospective study performed in patients with total knee arthroplasty or breast surgery for cancer shows that state anxiety, amplification of pain, and acute postoperative pain independently predict postsurgical pain at 3 months and that this does not depend on the surgical model.

Chronic preoperative pain and psychological robustness predict acute postoperative pain outcomes after surgery for breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Few epidemiological studies have prospectively investigated preoperative and surgical risk factors for acute postoperative pain after surgery for breast cancer. We investigated demographic, psychological, pain-related and surgical risk factors in women undergoing resectional surgery for breast cancer.

METHODS

Primary outcomes were pain severity, at rest (PAR) and movement-evoked pain (MEP), in the first postoperative week.

RESULTS

In 338 women undergoing surgery, those with chronic preoperative pain were three times more likely to report moderate to severe MEP after breast cancer surgery (OR 3.18, 95% CI 1.45-6.99). Increased psychological 'robustness', a composite variable representing positive affect and dispositional optimism, was associated with lower intensity acute postoperative PAR (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.48-0.82) and MEP (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.54-0.93). Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and intraoperative nerve division were associated with reduced postoperative pain. No relationship was found between preoperative neuropathic pain and acute pain outcomes; altered sensations and numbness postoperatively were more common after axillary sample or clearance compared with SLNB.

CONCLUSION

Chronic preoperative pain, axillary surgery and psychological robustness significantly predicted acute pain outcomes after surgery for breast cancer. Preoperative identification and targeted intervention of subgroups at risk could enhance the recovery trajectory in cancer survivors.

Meta-analysis of clinical efficacy of pulsed radio frequency energy treatment

OBJECTIVE

To statistically evaluate published clinical efficacy data related to the use of pulsed radio frequency energy (PRFE) therapy in 3 clinical applications.

BACKGROUND

Numerous clinical studies have reported efficacy outcomes for PRFE therapy use in the palliative treatment of both postoperative and nonpostoperative pain and edema, and for its use as an adjunctive wound-healing (WH) therapeutic. Although diverse in design and endpoint, these studies are amenable to systematic review using both a vote-counting and P-value combination meta-analytic technique.

METHODS

A meta-analysis of efficacy outcomes reported in clinical trials was performed using a vote-counting procedure. In addition, when possible, the sum of logs method of P-value combination was used to determine a significance level for the combined evidence within each endpoint and clinical area.

RESULTS

Of the 186 clinical articles identified after application of selection criteria, there were 25 controlled trials that met criteria for inclusion in vote-counting and P-value combination methods and were used for formal statistical analysis. In total, 1332 patients receiving PRFE treatment were studied. Vote-counting procedure applied to clinical outcomes from controlled studies resulted in a greater number of positive outcomes than neutral outcomes, and zero negative outcomes, for each of the clinical application groups evaluated. The sum of logs P-value method found statistically significant improvement in pain, reduction in edema, and improvement in WH outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of statistical evaluation of published clinical efficacy data, there is strong statistical evidence that PRFE therapy is effective in the treatment of postoperative and nonpostoperative pain and edema and in WH applications.

Persistent postsurgical pain in a general population: prevalence and predictors in the Tromsø study

Population-based data on the prevalence of persistent postsurgical pain are scarce. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of persistent postsurgical pain in a general population and to describe associated physical, social, and psychological factors, including symptoms of nerve injury and sensitization. A cross-sectional survey was performed in northern Norway with questionnaire items covering surgery, pain, and sensory abnormalities in the area of surgery. Of the 12,982 participants, 24.0% (3111) had undergone one or more surgical procedures during the 3 years preceding the survey. Of these, 2043 had the surgery performed more than 3 months before the investigation. Persistent pain in the area of surgery was reported by 40.4% of the patients (826 of 2043), moderate or severe pain by 18.3% (373 of 2043). Hypoesthesia, hyperesthesia, or both was reported by 24.5% (501 of 2043). There were strong associations between sensory abnormalities and persistent pain, increasingly with higher pain intensities; odds ratios were 2.68 for hypoesthesia and 6.27 for hyperesthesia. Of the 826 individuals reporting persistent pain in the anatomical area of surgery, 51.0% reported chronic pain when questioned without specific reference to the surgery. The present study supports evidence from clinical studies of persistent postsurgical pain, indicating a high prevalence, but reveals large discrepancies in report of pain, depending on the questions asked and the context in which the questions are presented. Strong associations between sensory abnormalities and pain indicate neuropathic mechanisms in a major proportion of cases.