Rethinking the definition of chronic postsurgical pain: composites of patient-reported pain-related outcomes vs pain intensities alone

This study included measures of function in a composite score of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to investigate the incidence of CPSP. Registry data were analyzed for PROs 1 day and 12 months postoperatively. Based on pain intensity and pain-related interference with function, patients were allocated to the groups “CPSPF” (at least moderate pain with interference), “mixed” (milder symptoms), and “no CPSPF”. The incidence of CPSPF was compared with CPSP rates referring to published data. Variables associated with the PRO-12 score (composite PROs at 12 months; numeric rating scale 0-10) were analyzed by linear regression analysis. Of 2319 patients, 8.6%, 32.5%, and 58.9% were allocated to the groups CPSPF, mixed, and no CPSPF, respectively. Exclusion of patients whose pain scores did not increase compared with the preoperative status, resulted in a 3.3% incidence. Of the patients without pre-existing pain, 4.1% had CPSPF. Previously published pain cutoffs of numeric rating scale>0, ≥3, or ≥4, used to define CPSP, produced rates of 37.5%, 9.7%, and 5.7%. Pre-existing chronic pain, preoperative opioid medication, and type of surgery were associated with the PRO-12 score (all P
Source: Pain - Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research