Background pain, procedural pain and optimism are associated with pain post-discharge in burn survivors: A prospective cohort study

Pain following burn injuries can be severe and may persist after hospital discharge. The experience of pain is influenced by multiple biological and psychosocial factors. Post-discharge pain may be related to pain experienced during hospitalization as well as anxiety associated with these pain experiences. There are also protective factors; one notable example is optimism. However, the role of optimism in burn-related pain has not yet been investigated. This study aimed to describe the extent of pain measured over 14 consecutive days post-discharge and to examine its relationship with background pain, procedural pain, pain-related anxiety, and optimism. This multi-center longitudinal cohort study was conducted in five burns centres. The results showed that 50 % of the patients had a pain score ≥ 2 on a 0 – 10 scale after discharge, which on average decreased further over the next 14 days. However, a subgroup of patients maintained elevated pain levels. Patients with higher pain scores post-discharge were more likely to have experienced higher levels of background pain and procedural pain in-hospital and they scored lower on optimism. Pain-related anxiety did not independently contribute to pain post-discharge. The results indicate that patients with high pain scores during hospital admission may need specific attention regarding pain management when they leave the hospital. Furthermore, patients may benefit from optimism-inducing interventions in the hospital and thereafter.