Factors Associated With Postsurgical Pain in Children and Adolescents With Cognitive Dysfunction

AIM: To describe the characteristics of paediatric postoperative patients with cognitive dysfunction and assess the prevalence of pain and associated factors. DESING: A descriptive observational study. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in children and adolescents who had undergone surgery in the previous 72 h with cognitive dysfunction impeding verbal communication of pain. The Spanish-language version of the revised Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability scale was used to assess pain intensity. RESULTS: The 51 included patients underwent 1072 pain assessments. Moderate to severe pain was detected in 12.1% of the evaluations (n = 130). Girls showed more intense pain after analgesia than boys. Higher pain intensity before analgesia was associated with neurodegenerative disease and autism spectrum disorder. CONCLUSION: In children with cognitive dysfunction, female sex and baseline cognitive conditions seem to be associated with more intense postsurgical pain. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Hospital pain management protocols should differentiate between patients with cognitive dysfunction and patients with neurotypical development. IMPACT: - This study addresses the prevalence of postsurgical pain in paediatric patients with cognitive dysfunction and associated factors - 12.1% of postsurgical evaluations showed moderate to severe pain. Female sex and baseline cognitive conditions seem to be associated with more intense postsurgical pain. - This research will have an impact on the care of paediatric patients with cognitive dysfunction in postsurgical hospitalization units. REPORTING METHOD: This study was performed according to EQUATOR GUIDELINES and the STROBE statement. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No Patient or Public Contribution.