Trajectory of Self-Reported Pain and Association with Quality of Life in Patients with Perianal Abscesses After Surgery

Yulei Gao,1 Li Zhang,1 Qiao Qian,1 Huachun Zhang,2 Yibo Yao1 1Department of Anorectal, Longhua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Nursing, Longhua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Huachun Zhang, Department of Nursing, Longhua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 725, Wanping South Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected] Yibo Yao, Department of Anorectal, Longhua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 725, Wanping South Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: Perianal abscesses are a common anorectal condition characterized by painful collections of pus near the anus and rectum. Surgical intervention is the standard treatment, yet postoperative pain can significantly impact patients’ quality of life (QoL). Understanding the variability in pain experiences and their association with QoL is crucial for improving postoperative outcomes.Methods: This study included 575 patients who underwent surgical intervention for perianal abscesses between 2021 and 2023. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale at multiple time points over a four-week follow-up period. QoL was measured using the Short Form-36 health Survey. Group-based trajectory modeling was employed to identify distinct pain trajectories. Multivariate linear regression analyses examined the association between pain trajectories and QoL, adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, and clinical covariates.Results: Group-based trajectory modeling identified three distinct pain trajectories. Compared to participants in the fluctuating group, patients in trajectories characterized by gradual decline (β=5.17; 95% confidence interval: 2.44, 7.91) or rapid decline (β=5.19; 95% confidence interval: 2.48, 7.90) pain reported significantly higher QoL scores across SF-36 score at 4 weeks post-surgery.Conclusion: The study highlights the heterogeneity in postoperative pain experiences among patients with perianal abscesses and underscores the importance of personalized pain management strategies. Early identification of patients at risk of poor pain outcomes can facilitate targeted interventions, ultimately improving long-term QoL.Keywords: perianal abscesses, pain, trajectory, quality of life