title: Persistent pain after mastectomy with reconstruction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of persistent postsurgical pain (PPSP) and its influence on functional status, and to examine associations between PPSP and single nucleotide polymorphisms of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene and the guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH1) gene following mastectomy and reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two teaching hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  From the population of women who had undergone breast reconstruction following mastectomy for breast cancer over a 6-year period, 42 women agreed to participate in the assessment (55.3% of the total sample).
  
  
  METHODS
  The Rand 36-Item Health Survey 1.0, the Patient-Specific Functional Scale, the McGill Pain Questionnaire (long form), visual analog scales for anxiety and pain, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were administered. Blood was taken for genetic analysis. Quantitative sensory testing was performed using a standard electrical stimulus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surgical procedures, perioperative analgesic requirements, pain scores, and adjuvant therapies were noted. Height, weight, menstrual status, and arm circumference also were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  42 (55.3%) patients took part in the assessment, and 18 (43%) reported PPSP. Those with PPSP achieved lower scores on the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (P = 0.040) and had been given more morphine perioperatively. A trend was noted between occurrence of PPSP and the val158met polymorphism of the COMT gene (P = 0.06).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Persistent pain after mastectomy and breast reconstruction has a high prevalence (43%). Genetic mutations may contribute to the development of persistent pain following surgery; however, larger studies are required for confirmation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Cork University Hospital and University College, Wilton, Cork City, County Cork, Ireland. oonaghhickey@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Oonagh T
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Hickey
authors.forename: Nora F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Nugent
authors.forename: Siun M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Parvaiz
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hafeez
authors.forename: Aliaksandr L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Mudrakouski
authors.forename: George D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Shorten
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006136:GTP Cyclohydrolase / Q000235:genetics; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase; D006136:GTP Cyclohydrolase