title: Long-term follow-up of pain and emotional characteristics of women after surgery for breast cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Persistent pain after treatment for breast cancer (PPBCT) is a common side effect of breast cancer treatment, with prevalence as high as 50%. It is predominantly a neuropathic condition.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was to examine the emotional characteristics of patients with PPBCT in long-term breast cancer patients. A secondary objective was to characterize the risk factors and severity of that pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  From March 1, 2010 to April 9, 2010, long-term follow-up patients were invited to complete a questionnaire. This recorded their surgical and demographic data and ascertained whether they had PPBCT. If the patient had pain, she completed a range of validated self-report questionnaires and questions about the nature of the pain, including a visual analogue scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred eleven patients completed the questionnaire; 33 (29.7%) patients reported chronic pain at a median time of 64 months postoperatively (interquartile range 54.25). Patients with persistent pain were not significantly more anxious (t(105)=-0.369, P=0.713) or depressed (t(105)=0.713, P=0.507) than patients without pain. Patients with constant pain compared with intermittent pain were significantly more anxious (t(25)=-3.460, P=0.002). Preoperative pain conferred a fivefold increased risk of PPBCT (odds ratio [OR]=5.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.79-14.97, P=0.002); chemotherapy conferred a threefold increased risk (OR=3.004, 95% CI=1.22-7.40, P=0.017).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have shown significant numbers of patients suffer from PPBCT. At a median time of 64.5 months, women with pain are not significantly more anxious or depressed than women without pain. Preoperative pain and chemotherapy have been highlighted as risk factors.
authors: School of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. s0791682@sms.ed.ac.uk
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Sheridan
authors: Irwin
authors: I
authors: Foo
authors: Halia
authors: H
authors: O'Shea
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Gillanders
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Williams
authors: Marie
authors: M
authors: Fallon
authors: Lesley
authors: L
authors: Colvin
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires