[Self-rated pain sensitivity and postoperative pain].

Area of Science:

• Pain research
• Clinical psychology
• Anesthesiology

Context:

• Postoperative pain management is crucial for patient recovery and satisfaction.
• Assessing pre-operative pain sensitivity can identify individuals at higher risk for severe pain.
• The Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ) offers a non-invasive method to gauge general pain sensitivity.

Purpose:

• To investigate if subjective pain sensitivity, assessed via the PSQ, predicts postoperative pain intensity.
• To determine if self-rated pain sensitivity is a risk factor for experiencing greater pain after surgery.
• To explore the relationship between pain sensitivity, pain levels, and patient satisfaction post-surgery.

Summary:

• 162 patients completed the PSQ pre-operatively and were categorized into low, medium, or high pain sensitivity groups.
• Postoperative pain intensity (NRS) was measured on days 1 and 2, alongside analgesic use and patient satisfaction.
• Higher pre-operative pain sensitivity correlated significantly with increased postoperative pain intensity and a greater pain increase during movement.

Impact:

• Subjective pain sensitivity is a validated, easily measurable risk factor for postoperative pain.
• Findings suggest the PSQ can aid in personalized pain management strategies.
• Patients with lower pain sensitivity reported higher satisfaction with their health recovery.