Predictors and patterns of chronic pain three months after cardiac surgery in Taiwan.

Objectives: Clinicians and researchers have a very limited understanding of how acute pain after cardiac surgery may develop into chronic pain. The aims of this study were to describe the pattern of pain during the first 3 months after cardiac surgery and to examine the predictors of surgery-related chronic pain.

Design: A prospective panel study was conducted to monitor changes in worst and average pain intensity before and during the first 3 months following cardiac surgery in a sample of Taiwanese patients.