Predictors of Persistent Postsurgical Pain After Hysterectomy-A Prospective Cohort Study

To determine sociodemographic, surgical, and psychologic risk factors, including pain sensitivity, for persistent postsurgical pain (PPSP) after hysterectomy.

A prospective cohort study.

Canadian academic medical center.

Patients (N = 200) who underwent hysterectomy (vaginal, laparoscopic, robotic, or open) between 2013 and 2014.

Participants completed preoperative questionnaires assessing baseline pain scores and psychologic factors, including the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire, Brief Pain Inventory Interference Items, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale. Pain was recorded 1 and 24 hours postoperatively using the NRS. Patients were reassessed at 6 weeks postoperatively and completed the Brief Pain Inventory Interference Items, Patient Global Impression of Change, and the NRS. Patients who reported pain at 6 weeks were reassessed at 12 weeks using the above-mentioned questionnaires.

Of 200 study participants, 58 (32%) met the definition for PPSP (NRS ≥ 1 at 12 weeks), and 11 (6.1%) met the definition for moderate to severe postsurgical pain (NRS ≥ 4 at 12 weeks). Risk factors for PPSP included baseline pain scores, depression, pain catastrophizing, uterine mass, open surgical approach, acute postoperative pain, history of chronic pain, and having a hysterectomy due to pain. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that depression, pain catastrophizing, open surgical approach, and acute postoperative pain at 1 hour represent independent predictors of PPSP. Pain sensitivity was not associated with PPSP but was associated with acute and severe acute (NRS≥4) pain at 24 hours.

Patients at risk for PPSP after hysterectomy can be identified preoperatively using validated questionnaires. This information can be used to guide targeted perioperative interventions to mitigate their risk.