title: [Postoperative pain in patients admitted  to Norwegian hospitals].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Postoperative pain management is important for patients' well-being and mobility. It also reduces the length of hospital stays and prevents complications. Based on our own clinical experience, data on pain in cancer patients from Norway and on postoperative pain from other countries, we expected that a substantial proportion of patients staying in Norwegian hospitals would report postoperative pain of high intensity.
  
  
  METHODS
  215 in-patients from 14 Norwegian hospitals participated in a study of pain during the first 24 hours after operations. The study was based on medical records and data reported by the patients themselves.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On an 11-point numerical scale, the mean intensity of pain was 3.0 (SD 2.1) during the first 24 hours. 8 % of patients reported that the intensity of even the weakest pain during rest had been ≥ 4, 38 % reported a mean intensity ≥ 4 and 11 % reported a mean ≥ 6. The medical records contained information about the intensity of postoperative pain for only 22 % of the patients. Reports from patients indicated that 52 % had been asked to report the intensity of pain on a scale as part of the hospital routine, while 78 % and 74 % had been asked about the need for additional pain alleviation and whether the medication was effective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many patients reported pain of strong intensity during the first 24 hours after operations. There is a great potential for improved documentation and treatment of pain.
authors.affiliation: Nasjonalt kompetansesenter for sammensatte lidelser og Forskningsgruppe smerte og palliasjon, Institutt for sirkulasjon og bildediagnostikk, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, Norway. olav.m.fredheim@ntnu.no
authors.forename: Olav Magnus S
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Fredheim
authors.forename: Gunnvald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kvarstein
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Undall
authors.forename: Audun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stubhaug
authors.forename: Tone
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rustøen
authors.forename: Petter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Borchgrevink
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D058748:Pain Perception; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D010343:Patient Admission; D015995:Prevalence; D012042:Registries; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics