Postoperative Pain Management in Spanish Hospitals: A Cohort Study Using the PAIN-OUT Registry

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Pain Management
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• Postoperative pain is a global challenge with limited data from Spain.
• Assessing pain and analgesic strategies is crucial for improving patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate postoperative outcomes and analgesic management in Spanish tertiary care hospitals.
• To compare Spanish data with Western countries and identify factors influencing pain.
• To explore the impact of analgesic therapy on pain and opioid requirements.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study of 2,922 patients across 13 Spanish hospitals.
• Utilized the PAIN-OUT questionnaire to assess pain and management.
• Analyzed data based on surgical type (Orthopedics vs. General Surgery) and analgesic strategies.

Main Results:

• Mean worst pain was 5.6/10, with 39.4% experiencing severe pain, slightly better than Western averages.
• Orthopedic surgery patients reported worse outcomes.
• Multimodal analgesia and regional anesthesia improved outcomes, while acute opioid use worsened them.
• Pre-existing chronic pain and opioid use were linked to poorer outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Spanish postoperative pain and opioid consumption are slightly better than in Western countries.
• Multimodal analgesia and regional anesthesia are effective strategies.
• Addressing pre-surgical chronic pain and enhancing patient involvement in decision-making are vital for improved postoperative pain management.