Postmastectomy Pain Syndrome Study
Author Information
Author(s): Vilholm O J, Cold S, Rasmussen L, Sindrup S H
Primary Institution: Odense University Hospital
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence of chronic pain after surgery for breast cancer?
Conclusion
The study found that 23.9% of breast cancer patients experience postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) after surgery.
Supporting Evidence
- The prevalence of PMPS was found to be 23.9%.
- The odds ratio for developing PMPS was 2.88.
- Significant risk factors included previous breast surgery, tumor location, and young age.
Takeaway
After breast cancer surgery, some women can have pain that lasts a long time, and this study found that about 1 in 4 women experience this pain.
Methodology
A postal survey was conducted among breast cancer patients and a reference group, assessing pain prevalence and characteristics through questionnaires.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to including women with possible reoccurrence of cancer, which may have influenced pain reports.
Limitations
The study was limited to one center and included only Caucasian women, which may affect the generalizability of the results.
Participant Demographics
The study included women who underwent surgery for breast cancer, with a median age of 61.1 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.003
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.84–4.51
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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