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Chronic pain after lung transplantation: a nationwide study
Kim Wildgaard1, Martin Iversen, Henrik Kehlet
1Department of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia double daggerDivision of Lung Transplantation, Heart Center Section for Surgical Pathophysiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. wildgaard@thoracotomy.eu
The Clinical Journal of Pain
|February 23, 2010
Summary
Persistent postsurgical pain after lung transplantation affects 5-10% of patients. This chronic pain can limit daily activities and impact quality of life, warranting further investigation into its causes.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic Surgery
- Pain Medicine
- Immunosuppression Therapy
Background:
- Persistent postsurgical pain following lung transplantation is not well understood.
- The impact of intensive immunosuppressive treatment on pain is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the nationwide incidence of chronic pain after lung transplantation.
Main Methods:
- A nationwide survey was conducted among surviving lung transplant recipients in Denmark.
- Detailed questionnaires were sent to 110 patients who underwent lung transplantation between 2002 and 2007.
Main Results:
- Out of 79 eligible patients, 18% reported persistent pain, with 10% experiencing moderate-to-severe pain (NRS >3).
- Persistent pain significantly impacted daily social activities (29-92%) and quality of life (54%).
- Sensory disturbances were more common in patients with persistent pain (73%) compared to those without (46%).
Conclusions:
- Moderate-to-severe persistent postsurgical pain occurs in 5-10% of lung transplant recipients, a rate lower than after non-transplant thoracotomy.
- Further research is needed to explore the influence of peritransplant immunosuppression on persistent post-thoracotomy pain.
