Associations Between Postpartum Pain Type, Pain Intensity and Opioid Use in Patients With and Without Opioid Use Disorder: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

(British Journal of Anaesthesia. 2023;130:94e102) Pain is a sensory, cognitive, and emotional experience and is affected by a number of biological, psychological, and social factors. Postpartum pain assessment and management remain limited to a one-size-fits-all approach, despite the wide range of pain experiences and types. Patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) may have more complex pain experiences and are at increased risk of severe post-traumatic pain, postoperative complications, readmission, and overdose than those without OUD. The over-prescribing of opioids for postpartum pain management is mitigated by recent efforts to promote shared-decision making. However, overly conservative prescribing practices or poorly managed pain can lead to negative outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the associations between pain type, pain intensity and opioid use during hospital stay, and examine the way pain type influences pain intensity and opioid use among people with and without OUD.