Chronic pain among the hospitalized patients after the 22 July 2011 terror attacks in Oslo and at Utøya Island

Abstract

Whereas the initial focus and efforts after physical trauma are on patient survival and treatment of major physical injuries, the focus of the survivors will subsequently shift toward attention to pain and disabilities, as well as physical and psychosocial functions.Both due to the physical injury and the frequent need of surgical interventions, trauma patients will experience acute pain. With healing of the wounds and injured structures, the patients are expected to recover to a pain-free state. Still, in 10-63%, 1-4 the pain will continue into a state of chronic pain.The transition from acute to chronic pain is a complex multifactorial process involving biological, psychological, and social-environmental factors. 3,5-9 A range of risk factors have been identified in this transition, in addition to the extent and characteristics of the physical trauma and surgeries. Previous or concurrent pain, female gender, young age, low education level, no pre-injury employment status, low social support, preoperative anxiety, and a pain