The Effect of Preoperative Fear of Pain on Postoperative Pain Levels and the Amount of Analgesic Consumption

Abstract

BackgroundPreoperative fear of pain can increase the surgical stress response along with anxiety, increasing postoperative pain and the amount of analgesia consumption. AimsTo determine the effect of preoperative fear of pain on postoperative pain level and analgesic consumption. DesignA descriptive, cross-sectional design was used. MethodsA total of 532 patients who were scheduled for a variety of surgical procedures in a tertiary hospital were included in the study. Data were collected using Patient Identification Information Form and Fear of Pain Questionnaire-III. Results86.1% of the patients thought that they would experience postoperative pain, and 70% of the patients reported moderate-to-severe postoperative pain. The examination of the postoperative first 24-hour pain levels indicated that there was a significant positive correlation between patients’ pain levels within 0-2 hours and their mean scores on the fear of severe and minor pain sub-dimensions and the total scale and between pain experienced within 3-8 hours and their scores on the fear of severe pain sub-dimension (p <.05). Also, a significant positive correlation was found between patients' mean scores on the total fear of pain scale and the amount of nonopioid (diclofenac sodium) consumption (p <0.05). ConclusionsThe fear of pain increased patients’ postoperative pain levels, and thus the amount of analgesic consumption. Therefore, patients' fear of pain should be determined in the preoperative period, and pain management practices should be initiated in this period. As a matter of fact, effective pain management will positively affect patient outcomes by reducing the amount of analgesic consumption.