Incidence and Risk Factors for Persistent Post-sternotomy Pain After Cardiac Surgery in Local Chinese Population: a Prospective Cohort Study
CPSP is common after cardiac surgery. The reported incidence was 28% to 56% up to 2 years postoperatively. Despite a large number of cross-sectional and retrospective studies, prospective cohort studies examining the incidence of chronic post-sternotomy pain following cardiac surgery have been scarce, and none on our local Chinese population. Several mechanisms have been involved in the development of chronic pain after sternotomy. Ongoing pain after surgery can continue to sensitize the nociceptive fibres which may subsequently lead to hyperalgesia, hyperpathia, allodynia and dysesthesia. In addition, like any form of chronic pain, it is a multidimensional process involving social, cognitive and psychological factors. CPSP has the potential to impact daily functioning and quality of life of patients, as well as increasing the healthcare costs. To date, only the CARDpain study examined the role of social and psychological risk factors in development of CPSP after cardiac surgery. They found pre-surgical anxiety, measured by the Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), was a significant risk factor. The primary aim of the study is to examine the incidence of chronic post-sternotomy pain at 3 months and 6 months following cardiac surgery in local Chinese population, and identify the clinical and psychological risk factors associated with its development. The secondary aim is to determine the impact of CPSP on the quality of life following cardiac surgery.
Start: December 2020