Chronic pain after liver transplant: A cross-sectional study

Chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) is a major concern following liver transplantation. Despite advancements in surgical and anaesthesia techniques, CPSP remains prevalent and under-researched.

This cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted at #, # in patients who underwent liver transplantation between January 2017 and December 2021. A total of 310 patients participated, exceeding the minimum sample size of 247 required for statistical significance. Data were collected from questionnaires administered over the phone - the Brief Pain Inventory Short Form (BPI-SF) and the Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions (DN4) - and from a review of each patient's clinical history.

CPSP was identified in 20.0% of patients, with a higher prevalence in women (27.6%) conpared to men (17.0%) (odds ratio: 1.85; 95% confidence interval: 1.03-3.33; p = 0.019). Acute postoperative pain and female gender were significant independent predictors. Neuropathic pain characteristics were present in 25.8% of cases. We found that CPSP significantly interfered with daily activities, but despite its high incidence, only 24.2% of patients were receiving treatment for their pain.

Our findings highlight the impact of CPSP on liver transplant recipients and the need for improved pain management. The study underscores the importance of addressing acute postoperative pain to prevent the development of CPSP and calls for heightened awareness and better treatment protocols to enhance outcones.

This study provides insights into the prevalence and impact of CPSP among liver transplant patients, and identifies acute postoperative pain and female gender as risk factors. The results show the need to improve pain management practices in order to mitigate the long-term effects of CPSP.