Age Differences in Patients With Postoperative Pain and Their Relationships to Comorbid Conditions: Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis

This study analyzed the relationship between aging and reported pain during the acute postoperative period in a retrospective analysis of 2,600 adult patients who underwent abdominal surgeries. Data included demographics, diagnoses, surgical, and pain assessments. Severe pain was defined as reported pain intensity ≥ 7 on the numeric rating score during the first 24 hours postsurgery. Patients were grouped into three different age categories: 18-44, 45-64, and ≥ 65 years. Comparisons among groups were performed using the Chi-square test. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the likelihood of patients reporting pain intensity ≥ 7. The likelihood of reporting severe pain was significantly lower in older (> 65 years; OR, 0.48; CI, 0.39-0.60) and middle-aged (45-64 years; OR, 0.77; CI, 0.63-0.91) patients as compared with younger patients (18-44 years). Factors increasing the likelihood of reporting severe pain included female sex (OR, 1.34; CI, 1.13-1.58), history of chronic pain (OR, 2.03; CI, 1.58-2.60), and incidence of depression and/or anxiety (OR, 1.65; CI, 1.29-2.12). Findings suggest that patients ≥ 65 years are significantly less likely to experience severe acute postoperative pain following a major abdominal surgery. Nurse anesthetists' awareness of age-specific acute postoperative pain management can lead to better patient pain outcomes.