• K Breme, J Altmeppen, and K Taeger.
• Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Universität Regensburg. breme@rkananw1.ngate.uni-regensburg.de
• Schmerz. 2000 Jun 1;14(3):137-45.

IntroductionThe present study examines the relationship between different psychological variables (including anxiety, depression, locus of control, expectations of pain intensity and social support) and postoperative pain, analgesic consumption and satisfaction with the pain management in a study sample of 67 patients.MethodsIntravenous patient-controlled analgesia was used for postoperative analgesia. Pain intensity was assessed by numerical rating scales and obtained from the PCA-report. On the fourth day after surgery, the patients estimated retrospectively the pain intensity of the first day.ResultsThe results show that postoperative pain experience correlates significantly with several variables raised preoperatively. The retrospective variables were predicted by psychological measures. There was no relationship to the pain measurements of the PCA-report.ConclusionsWhile pain experience could be predicted by stable psychological traits, satisfaction was associated with the state variables, like anxiety and depression. It is precisely satisfaction with the pain therapy that could be improved by special preoperative psychological training and/or general information about the postoperative pain intensity.

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