Influence of psychological factors on postoperative pain, mood and analgesic requirements

Abstract

S. In the present investigation patients scheduled for elective gallbladder surgery were examined for levels of pain, mood and analgesic needs, and the data were analyzed by using stratified stepwise multiple regression analysis. The results indicate that approximately half of the variability in the postoperative outcome measures could be predicted by a set of variables which include the patient's anxiety, extroversion, depression, educational level, previous chronic pain syndromes, and bias toward using medication. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to pain management strategies for surgical populations. 2Correspondence and reprint requests to: Paul Taenzer, Ph.D., Department of Psychosocial Resources, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331–29th Street N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N2, Canada. 3Department of Psychology, McGill University, Stewart Biology Building, Room W8/1, Montreal, Que. H3A 1B1, Canada. 4School of Nursing, McGill University, 3506 University Street, Montreal, Que. H3A 2A7, Canada. Submitted May 21, 1985; revised August 7, 1985; accepted August 23, 1985. ☆ This research is based on a doctoral dissertation submitted to McGill University by the first author, and was supported by Grant A7891 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. © Lippincott-Raven Publishers....