Chronic pain in patients with mine-explosive wounds

Abstract

Abstract Background: Chronic pain is diagnosed in 70% of patients with gunshot wounds, and in 11-40% of patients after injuries in civilian life. There are insufficient data on chronic pain in patients with mine-explosive injuries. Methods: The treatment of 280 patients with mine-explosive injuries was analyzed. Pain intensity was diagnosed using a visual analog scale, neuropathic pain – pain diagnostic questionnaire, acute stress reaction – Hospital anxiety and depression scale and medical history, satisfaction with treatment results – Chaban quality of life scale. Results: Chronic pain was observed in 240 (83.3% 95% CI 78.8%-87.4%) patients: 140 patients were injured in 1, 2 anatomical areas of the body – 82.2% (95% CI 76.8%-88.1%) and 100 patients were injured in 3 or more – 91.7% (95% CI 85.8%-96.2%). For DN4, a neuropathic component of pain was detected. Upon admission, the diagnosis of ASR was established: the number of HADS points ranged from 17 to 25 points on average. CQLS data indicated a low level (62-74 points) of satisfaction with treatment results. Conclusions: Patients with mine and explosive injuries have a very high risk of chronic pain – 15% higher than patients with gunshot wounds and 57.5% higher than civilian injured patients. A greater frequency of the neuropathic component of pain and acute stress reactions is the reason for such chronicity. Low satisfaction with treatment outcomes is likely a consequence of chronic pain. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: Retrospectively registered on 03.08.2022, NCT05485285.