Persistent Postpartum Pain After Elective Cesarean Section Is Not Only Persistent Postsurgical Pain-A Retrospective...

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Pain Management
• Public Health

Background:

• Persistent postpartum pain (PPP) is a prevalent issue following cesarean section (CS), impacting women's quality of life.
• PPP is defined as pain of any origin that persists for at least three months after CS.
• Understanding the incidence and risk factors for PPP is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of persistent postpartum pain (PPP) in women undergoing elective cesarean section (CS).
• To identify and analyze risk factors associated with the development of PPP.
• To assess the impact of PPP on women's functional status.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cross-sectional study design was employed.
• An electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) tool was utilized to collect data on pain perception, presence, and severity.
• Data included pain during pregnancy, postoperative pain scores (Numeric Rating Scale - NRS), and incidence of PPP.

Main Results:

• A significant incidence of PPP was observed in 32.37% of women after elective CS.
• Key risk factors identified include previous surgery (OR=1.487), pain during pregnancy (OR=1.481), and higher initial postoperative pain (OR=1.166 per NRS point).
• Persistent back pain was a common complaint, reported by half of women experiencing PPP.

Conclusions:

• Women with pre-existing pain conditions, prior surgical history, and severe postoperative pain face an elevated risk of PPP.
• Persistent postpartum pain is not confined to the surgical site and can manifest in various body regions.
• Effective identification and management strategies are needed for women at risk of persistent postpartum pain.