[Preoperative pain in urological patients scheduled for surgical intervention : Incidence, severity and chronicity].
BACKGROUND
The genesis of chronic pain in urology has so far been insufficiently investigated. No investigations have focused on the occurrence of preoperative pain. We developed an epidemiological questionnaire to analyze preoperative pain.


METHODS
In this questionnaire, preoperative pain in all patients scheduled for urologic surgery (n=165) was analyzed. Acute and chronic pain was analyzed as main or adjoint pain, with the registration of severity, chronification states, and duration. We registered depression and anxiety, well-being, and somatic and psychological efficiency.


RESULTS
Eighty percent of the patients reported pain within the previous 12 months. Acute preoperative pain was reported by 17% of the patients and chronic pain by 64%. Significant differences in quality of life were detected between patients with or without preoperative pain. Well-being was also significantly affected in patients having pain.


CONCLUSIONS
The pain severity and states of chronification not only explain a reduction in somatic and psychological well-being but also emphasize that preoperative pain should be identified thoroughly prior to surgery.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Universitätsklinikum, Köln, Deutschland. enver.oezguer@uk-koeln.de
E
E
Ozgür
K
K
Straub
O
O
Dagtekin
U
U
Engelmann
A
A
Heidenreich
H J
HJ
Gerbershagen
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*