Risk Factors for Acute Postsurgical Pain: A Narrative Review.

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Pain Medicine
• Genetics

Background:

• Acute postsurgical pain (APSP) is a significant concern affecting patient outcomes.
• Despite advancements, moderate-to-severe APSP remains common in clinical practice.
• Individualized pain experiences are influenced by diverse demographic, perioperative, psychological, and genetic factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and identify key risk factors associated with moderate-to-severe APSP.
• To highlight the importance of early risk identification for personalized pain management.
• To explore interventions aimed at mitigating APSP and its long-term consequences.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating risk factors for APSP.
• Analysis of demographic, perioperative, psychological, and genetic influences on pain.
• Synthesis of current understanding of APSP etiology and management.

Main Results:

• Identified risk factors include gender, age, obesity, smoking, preoperative pain, anxiety, depression, pain catastrophizing, and genetic polymorphisms.
• These factors contribute to the variability in individual responses to pain.
• Early identification of at-risk patients is essential for tailored treatment.

Conclusions:

• Personalized analgesic strategies combining pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions are vital.
• Effective APSP management can reduce the transition to chronic pain.
• Mitigating APSP is key to preventing chronic physical disability and psychological distress.