Preoperative coping strategies and distress predict postoperative pain and morphine consumption in women undergoing abdominal gynecologic surgery

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to predict postoperative pain and morphine consumption based on preoperative psychosocial factors. Methods: One hundred and twenty-two women completed measures of distress and coping I week before major abdominal gynecological surgery by laparotomy. Forty-eight hours after surgery, measures of pain and negative affect (NA) were completed, and morphine consumption was recorded from a patient-controlled analgesia pump. Four weeks after surgery, measures of pain and NA were completed. Results: Multivariate analyses revealed that preoperative self-distraction coping (P=.039) positively predicted postoperative pain levels in the hospital, after accounting for the effects of age, concurrent NA, and morphine consumption. Emotional support (P=.031) and religious-based coping (P=.036) positively predicted morphine consumption in the hospital, after accounting for the effects of age, concurrent NA, and pain levels. Preoperative distress (P<.04 to .008) and behavioral disengagement (P=.034), emotional support (P=.049), and religious-based coping (P=.001) positively predicted pain levels 4 weeks after surgery, after accounting for the effects of age and concurrent NA. Conclusion: The results suggest that preoperative psychosocial factors are associated with postoperative pain and morphine consumption. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.