The incidence, impact, and risk factors for moderate to severe persistent pain after breast cancer surgery: a prospective cohort study

Abstract Background Few Australasian studies have evaluated persistent pain after breast cancer surgery. Objective To evaluate the incidence, impact, and risk factors of moderate to severe persistent pain after breast cancer surgery in a New Zealand cohort. Design Prospective cohort study Methods Consented patients were reviewed at 3 timepoints (preoperative, 2 weeks and 6 months postoperative). Pain incidence and interference, psychological distress and upper limb disability were assessed perioperatively. Clinical, demographic, psychological, cancer treatment-related variables, quantitative sensory testing, and patient genotype (COMT, OPRM1, GCH1, ESR1, and KCNJ6) were assessed as risk factors using multiple logistic regression. Results Of the 173 patients recruited, 140 completed the 6-month follow-up. Overall, 15.0% (n = 21, 95% CI: 9.5%—22.0%) of patients reported moderate to severe persistent pain after breast cancer surgery with 42.9% (n = 9, 95% CI: 21.9%—66.0%) reporting likely neuropathic pain. Pain interference, upper limb dysfunction and psychological distress were significantly higher in patients with moderate to severe pain (P < .004). Moderate to severe preoperative pain (OR= 3.60, 95% CI: 1.13–11.44, P = .03), COMT rs6269 GA genotype (OR = 5.03, 95% CI: 1.49—17.04, P = .009) and psychological distress at postoperative day 14 (OR= 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02—1.16, P = .02) were identified as risk factors. Total intravenous anesthesia (OR= 0.31, 95% CI: 0.10 – 0.99, P = .048) was identified as protective. Conclusion The incidence of moderate to severe persistent pain after breast cancer surgery is high with associated pain interference, physical disability, and psychological distress. Important modifiable risk factors were identified to reduce this important condition.