Chronic pain in survivors of critical illness: a retrospective analysis of incidence and risk factors

Abstract

IntroductionChronic pain has been reported in survivors of critical illness for many years after discharge from hospital. This study investigates the incidence and site of chronic pain in survivors of critical illness between 6 months and 1 year after hospitalization, including ICU admission. A retrospective analysis of the risk factors for chronic pain in this patient group was also completed.MethodsA questionnaire method was used to investigate the incidence of chronic pain and the specific body parts affected. A retrospective study and multivariable analysis were used to investigate the risk factors for chronic pain in this patient group. All survivors of a general intensive care unit (ICU) in South Wales in a 6-month period were included in this study.ResultsChronic pain was reported in 44% of all respondents. The shoulder was the most commonly reported joint affected by pain (22%). Risk factors for chronic pain between 6 months and 1 year after ICU discharge were increasing patient age and severe sepsis.ConclusionsChronic pain is a problem in survivors of critical illness, especially in the shoulder joint, and further studies are needed investigating therapeutic interventions that address this long-term problem.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Chronic Intensive Care–Related Pain: The Role of Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock

“…There are only a small number of studies focusing on the incidence of chronic ICU-related pain (CIRP). The incidence rates of new pain conditions within the first months after ICU discharge (ICU DC ) range between 22.1% and 44% (12,13), and the prevalence rates of moderate to extreme pain conditions after critical care range between 36% and 60% (14,15). In literature on postoperative pain, chronic postoperative pain states are consistently associated with severe acute and postacute pain after surgery (16).…”

Resilience in Survivors of Critical Illness in the Context of the Survivors’ Experience and Recovery

“…These studies will need to be designed to more fully explore the multiple dimensions of resilience, which include personal characteristics, relationships, community, and spiritual influences (25)(26)(27), in addition to examining what factors modify resilience (e.g., sociodemographics, cultural differences, social support). Further, because resilience was inversely correlated with self-reported executive dysfunction, symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, pain, and difficulty performing self-care, future studies should examine the degree to which resilience is responsive to care management and/or rehabilitation to mitigate cognitive and physical impairment (43)(44)(45)(46), mood disorders (47), and chronic pain (48,49). Effective strategies, which are desperately needed, could simultaneously bolster survivors' resilience and mitigate the risk of PICS.…”

Fatores preditores de dor em idosos do Município de São Paulo, Brasil: Estudo SABE 2006 e 2010

“…Por outro lado, mostrou-se inferior à incidência de dor com duração superior a 6 meses, observada entre idosos australianos sobreviventes à doença grave, após internação prolongada em unidade de terapia intensiva de 44% 18 .…”