Chronic pain in intensive care unit survivors: incidence, characteristics and side-effects up to one-year post-discharge

Abstract

Background: Intensive care unit survivors experience significant physical and psychological problems, including chronic pain following discharge. The aim of this study was to observe the incidence, anatomical sites, intensity, and interference of chronic pain in intensive care unit survivors over a 1-year period. In addition, potential predictors of chronic pain were analysed. Methods: Data were collected during an intensive care unit follow-up programme as part of a quality improvement initiative. Data from the Brief Pain Inventory and from musculoskeletal assessment were examined, alongside demographic data from the patient. Data were collected from patients at baseline and at a 1-year follow-up appointment. Results: Data from 47 intensive care unit survivors were included in this study. In 66% (n = 31) of the patients a “new” chronic pain that did not exist before their stay in the intensive care, was reported. Pain intensity in this patient group was “moderate”’ and did not improve significantly over the 1-year period. Although pain interference with life decreased over the study period, it was still the most common cause of reduced enjoyment of life and reduced employment at 1-year follow-up. Conclusion: Chronic pain is associated with morbidity in intensive care unit survivors. Pain interference, but not pain intensity, improved significantly in the first year after discharge. Further multi-centre research is required to elucidate the chronic pain experience.