Background pain, procedural pain and optimism are associated with pain post-discharge in burn survivors

Pain following burn injuries can be severe and may persist after hospital discharge. The experience of pain is influenced by multiple biological and psychosocial factors. Post-discharge pain may be related to pain experienced during hospitalization as well as anxiety associated with these pain experiences. There are also protective factors; one notable example is optimism. However, the role of optimism in burn-related pain has not yet been investigated. This study aimed to describe the extent of pain measured over 14 consecutive days post-discharge and to examine its relationship with background pain, procedural pain, pain-related anxiety, and optimism. This multi-center longitudinal cohort study was conducted in five burns centres. The results showed that 50 % of the patients had a pain score ≥ 2 on a 0 – 10 scale after discharge, which on average decreased further over the next 14 days. However, a subgroup of patients maintained elevated pain levels. Patients with higher pain scores postdischarge were more likely to have experienced higher levels of background pain and procedural pain in-hospital and they scored lower on optimism. Pain-related anxiety did not independently contribute to pain postdischarge. The results indicate that patients with high pain scores during hospital admission may need specific attention regarding pain management when they leave the hospital. Furthermore, patients may benefit from optimism-inducing interventions in the hospital and thereafter.