Risk factors that influence the intensity of pain present in the immediate postoperative period

Objective: To evaluate the influence of risk factors for immediate postoperative pain (IPP). Methods: The study was conducted with 336 patients treated at the Post Anesthetic Recovery Unit (PARU) of a general hospital. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained with a questionnaire and pain was assessed by the McGill questionnaire (reduced form), both assessed at admission and discharge from PARU. Results: 64.1% of patients older than 60 years reported no pain at discharge from the PARU; 59.5% and 56.9% of those undergoing closed surgery reported pain on admission and discharge, respectively; longer surgeries caused pain in 52.5% of patients and 25% of diabetics reported pain on admission; fewer patients using 7 or more medications reported pain at both times. Conclusion: Age, type and time of surgery, number of medications and comorbidities influence in pain on IPP.