title: A retrospective multicenter study on long-term prevalence of chronic pain after cardiac surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are limited data on sternotomy as a cause of chronic postsurgical pain, mainly restricted to 1 year after surgery.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the prevalence of chronic post-sternotomy pain and its interference on daily living.
  
  
  METHODS
  In three groups of patients, a standardized telephone interview was obtained at 3 months (n = 313), 1 year (n = 313), and 3 years (n = 319) following the rehabilitation program after cardiac surgery, in 11 rehabilitation centers. Presence, site, and the severity and interference of pain on selected daily living items were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of pain after cardiac surgery was 35.3% in the 3-month group, 26.8% in the 1-year group, and 19.8% in the 3-year group (P < 0.0001). Pain in the 3-year group was rated as moderate to severe in one-third of the patients. In patients aged above 75 years, the prevalence of pain in the 3-month and the 3-year group was nonsignificantly different [34.2 and 29.3%, respectively (NS)]. In the 3-month group, pain was more frequent in the female (51.4%) than in the male patients (31.3%; P < 0.01); in the remaining groups, a comparable prevalence was documented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results form this large, retrospective, multicenter survey indicated that one out of five patients still complain pain at 3 years after cardiac surgery; persistence of pain was more common in the older patients. The approach to management of chronic pain by cardiologists and cardiac surgeons should be improved.
authors.affiliation: aSalvatore Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Division of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Scientific Institute of Veruno (NO) bDivision of Cardiology, Spedali Civili, University of Brescia, Brescia cSan Giovanni-Addolorata Hospital Complex, Division of Cardiology III, Rome dCardiovascular Rehabilitation Unit, Le Terrazze Clinic, Cunardo (VA), Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marcassa
authors.forename: Marcassa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Claudio
authors.forename: Pompilio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Faggiano
authors.forename: Faggiano
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pompilio
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.forename: Greco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cesare
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ambrosetti
authors.forename: Ambrosetti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marco
authors.forename: Pier Luigi
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Temporelli
authors.forename: Temporelli Pier
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Luigi
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D056346:Sternotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics