Epidemiology of persistent postoperative pain: Association of persistent pain and sensory abnormalities

Background: The prevalence of persistent postoperative pain in the general population is poorly documented, but clinical studies indicate that the problem is common. Aim: The aim of this study was (1) to assess the prevalence of persistent postoperative pain among individuals operated during the last 3 years in a general population and (2) to describe factors associated with chronic postoperative pain. Materials and methods: As part of a cross-sectional health survey in the municipality of Tromsø, North Norway, all participants answered questions on surgery, persisting pain and sensory abnormalities in the area of surgery. N = 12,984. Age 30–87 years, median 59. 53.4% women. Pain intensity was reported using a 0–10 Numeric Rating Scale (0–10 NRS). Logistic regression was used to reveal any associations between pain and self-reported hyposensitivity, hypersensitivity and allodynia. Results: 2316 individuals (17.8%) had surgery between 3 months and 3 years prior to the survey. 826 (40.4%) of the 2044 who answered a questionnaire on postsurgical pain, reported having some degree of pain in the area of surgery. Of these 826 individuals, 45.2% had pain, when at worst, of moderate or severe intensity, i.e. 0–10 NRS of 4 or higher. The areas of surgery carrying the strongest association with persistent pain were (in descending order of frequency): (1) Shoulder/upper arm [74.5% (108/145)], (2) back [73.9% (65/88)], (3) lungs [66.7% (8/12)], (4) knee/lower leg [63.7% (179/281)], (5) hand [58.8% (90/153)]. (6) hip/thigh [58.3% (74/127)] and (7) ankle/foot [58.7% (84/143)]. 18.3% (413) had reduced sensitivity in the area near the surgical scar, while 10.6% (240) reported hypersensitivity and 5.6% (127) allodynia. For those reporting hypoesthesia, the odds ratio (OR) for having pain was 2.71 (95% confidence interval 2.08–3.53), for those reporting hyperesthesia, OR was 4.82 (3.24–7.18) and for those with allodynia 5.83 (3.12–10.90). Conclusions: 3 months or more after surgery, nearly half of the respondents report having pain in the area of surgery. In this survey, there is a strong association between persistent pain and the presence of both hyposensitivity, hypersensitivity and allodynia.

Angaben zum Objekt

• Standort: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Umfang: Online-Ressource
• Sprache: Englisch

Verweise und Beziehungen

• Erschienen in: Epidemiology of persistent postoperative pain: Association of persistent pain and sensory abnormalities ; volume:1 ; number:3 ; year:2010 ; pages:172-173 ; extent:2 ; Scandinavian journal of pain ; 1, Heft 3 (2010), 172-173 (gesamt 2)

Beteiligte, Orts- und Zeitangaben

• Urheber: Johansen, A. ; Romundstad, L. ; Nielsen, C.S. ; Schirmer, H. ; Eggen, A.E. ; Stubhaug, A.

Weitere Informationen

• DOI: 10.1016/j.sjpain.2010.05.018
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2024022313491100600875
• Rechteinformation: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Letzte Aktualisierung: 14.08.2025, 10:46 MESZ