The Involvement of the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis in the Development of Hyperalgesia during the Early Postoperative Period

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Hyperalgesia frequently occurs after surgery and is associated with adverse effects on surgical outcomes. Thus, we aimed to examine whether the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function after surgery is involved in the development of postoperative hyperalgesia. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Surgery- and pain-related variables were measured 24 and 48 h after the first and second total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) in postmenopausal patients undergoing 1-week-interval staged bilateral TKA. Two sets of saliva samples were consecutively collected from patients before (pre-T1) and 1 week after (post-T1) the first TKA (<i>n</i> = 69). HPA axis function was analyzed in a subgroup of 20 patients with a typical cortisol awakening response (CAR) in both the sets of saliva samples. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Surgery-related variables were comparable between the first and second TKAs. However, pain-related variables (pain ratings and the amount of opioid analgesics consumed) were greater after the second than the first TKA. Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) secretion during the post-awakening period (CARauc and Dauc_awk, respectively) was higher at post-T1 than at pre-T1, but the molar CARauc/Dauc_awk ratio was comparable between the time points examined. No relationship was observed between the pre-T1 CARauc and pain ratings after the first TKA. However, post-T1 CARauc showed a positive correlation with pain ratings after the second TKA. Postoperative pain ratings were negatively correlated with Dauc_awk and positively correlated with the molar CARauc/Dauc_awk ratio at all examined time points. <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> The results suggest that adrenocortical steroidogenic activity favoring the production of cortisol over DHEA after surgery may contribute to the development of hyperalgesia during the early postoperative period.