The use of analgesics for postoperative pain after discharge from the hospital – a prospective observational study
Analgesics, Postoperative period, Postoperative Pain, Opioid
Published online: May 16 2024
Abstract
Background and objectives: Pain medication is often prescribed after discharge from the hospital after surgery. While there is a wealth of information available regarding prescription habits and usage in the United States of America, data on postoperative pain medication usage and disposal is scarce in Belgium.
Design, setting and methods: In this prospective study in a tertiary care hospital, we recruited patients scheduled for elective same-day or overnight foot surgery, shoulder arthroscopy, anorectal surgery, laparoscopic cholecystectomy or laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair from August to September 2021. Using standardized surveys by telephone calls we assessed patient-reported outcomes of pain medication consumption and handling at 14 days and 6 months after surgery. The data collected included demographic information, medication use, pain levels, and patients’ understanding of the prescribed drugs.
Results: Of the initial 77 eligible patients, 25 were not included because of language barrier and refusal and 6 were excluded during the study because of hospital admission for other reasons. The mean age of the patients was 53 ± 16.1 years old, and the majority were male (58%). Pre-surgery, eight out of 52 patients reported taking daily pain medication (15%). At the 2-week mark, 28 patients (60%) were taking analgesics. After 6 months 18 patients (39%) continued the use of analgesics of which opioids were prescribed to 11 patients, eight of those patients were opioid naive before surgery. Only three patients (6%) stated that they were informed about the disposal of unused medication.
Conclusions: This study describes the current situation of analgesic use after several types of surgeries. Many patients reported continued use of analgesics including opioids 6 months after surgery and the lack of knowledge regarding safe disposal of pain medication. More should be done to prevent the continuous use of analgesics and the correct disposal of unused medication.
