title: Surgery, pain, and immune function.
abstract: Research findings have demonstrated that surgery negatively affects immune function. Pain also has deleterious effects on immune function. Most research in this area has been conducted on animals. Psychoneuroimmunology provides the framework for this article. Psychoneurological phenomena, such as stress, depression, and pain, can influence immune system functioning through neuroendocrine pathways. Biological and behavioral processes appear to be closely related and need to be jointly considered when planning and providing anesthesia care. The anesthesia planning process increasingly involves aggressive assessment and treatment of postoperative pain, which may benefit immune function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Adult Health Nursing, Rush University College of Nursing, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kremer
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000276:immunology*; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000276:immunology*; D009719:Nurse Anesthetists; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010146:Pain / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011598:Psychoneuroimmunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects*