title: Chronic pain in survivors of critical illness: a retrospective analysis of incidence and risk factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic pain has been reported in survivors of critical illness for many years after discharge from hospital. This study investigates the incidence and site of chronic pain in survivors of critical illness between 6 months and 1 year after hospitalization, including ICU admission. A retrospective analysis of the risk factors for chronic pain in this patient group was also completed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire method was used to investigate the incidence of chronic pain and the specific body parts affected. A retrospective study and multivariable analysis were used to investigate the risk factors for chronic pain in this patient group. All survivors of a general intensive care unit (ICU) in South Wales in a 6-month period were included in this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Chronic pain was reported in 44% of all respondents. The shoulder was the most commonly reported joint affected by pain (22%). Risk factors for chronic pain between 6 months and 1 year after ICU discharge were increasing patient age and severe sepsis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic pain is a problem in survivors of critical illness, especially in the shoulder joint, and further studies are needed investigating therapeutic interventions that address this long-term problem.
authors.forename: Ceri E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Battle
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lovett
authors.forename: Hayley
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hutchings
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy*; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017741:Survivors