The Prevalence Of Acute Neuropathic Pain After Surgery In Hospital Of Lithuanian University Of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics

Background. Acute neuropathic pain can be one of the post-surgical pain components, which is often under-recognized and complicated to treat. The prevalence of pain with neuropathic characteristics in general population is about 6 – 8%. Moreover, it might to progress and become as a persistent pain and cause a disability. This type of study has never been performed in Lithuania. Methods. Investigators conducted a survey, which consisted of the following visual and verbal analogue and Dolour Neuropathique 4 scales to identify pain intensity and neuropathic pain after surgery. Risk factors of neuropathic pain were evaluated with Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, demographic characteristics and data, which represents possible risk factors. Results. The survey included 170 participants: 68 males (40%) and 102 females (60%). Average age of patients was 59.66 years (SD 15.9). During the first day after surgery 7.1% patients felt neuropathic pain, on the second day – 8.2%, and the third postoperative day – 7.6% of patients. A prevalence of neuropathic pain depends on gender and anxiety before surgery. Conclusion. A prevalence of acute neuropathic pain after surgery in Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences is 7 – 8%. The risk factors of neuropathic pain development are patient’s gender and anxiety before surgical procedure.