Catastrophizing: A Risk Factor For Postsurgical Pain

Abstract

The pattern of findings suggests that high catastrophizing scores may be a risk factor for heightened pain following surgery. Clinical and theoretical implications of the findings are addressed.

Potential strategies for preventing chronic postoperative pain: a practical approach: Continuing Professional Development

“…Preoperative questionnaires designed to identify patients likely to develop PPSP as well as QSTs are impractical in the daily clinical context. [9][10][11] Anesthesiologists facing fragile patients should be given more time to make a proper evaluation of their anxiety level during an appropriate consultation. Nevertheless, QSTs are still controversial in their ability to make a strong prediction regarding the development of PPSP.…”

“…[9][10][11] Plus de temps devrait cependant être consacré face à un patient fragile pour évaluer son niveau d'anxiété et ces facteurs psychologiques de façon appropriée. Aussi, les QST sont des tests dont la valeur prédictive pour le développement des DCPC reste controversée.…”

Locked out and still knocking: predictors of excessive demands for postoperative intravenous patient-controlled analgesia

“…These fears may be associated with catastrophic thinking and heightened postoperative pain. 37,38 Apprehension about moving about after surgery is based on authentic feedback which has taught the patient that activity causes increased pain. However, the misinterpretation of activity and pain as harmful engenders avoidance behaviours that may set the stage for decreased activity and increased pain and disability.…”

L’analgésie contrôlée avec patience: vers une meilleure compréhension des comportements d’auto-administration des analgésiques

“…25 Nevertheless, clear expectations regarding average analgesic efficacy, as well as the rationale and the details of PCA doses and lockout intervals, should minimize any frustration with PCA modalities during the postoperative period. In as much as excessive PCA lockout demands might be interpreted as inadequate pain management and/or dissatisfaction with PCA, the work of Katz et al complements studies of other psychological states/traits, such as catastrophizing, 26 which could help clinicians identify patients who may require more focused pain management efforts. That being said, it is quite clear that much more needs to be learned regarding the behavioural aspects of analgesic self-administration.…”

“…Dans la mesure où des demandes interdites excessives d'ACP pourraient refléter une prise en charge inadaptée de la douleur et/ou une insatisfaction par rapport à l'ACP, l'étude de Katz et coll. complète des études portant sur d'autres traits ou états psychologiques, comme par exemple le catastrophisme, 26 et pourrait dès lors aider les cliniciens à identifier les patients pouvant potentiellement nécessiter des efforts de prise en charge de la douleur plus ciblés. Ceci étant, il faut garder à l'esprit que nous avons besoin d'apprendre encore bien des choses concernant les aspects comportementaux de l'auto-administration d'analgésiques.…”