Does mood state affect postoperative narcotic needs of acute and chronic pain patients?

Clinical studies support a multidimensional framework for the experience of pain. This study explored the differences in mood profiles between chronic and acute pain patients. The Derogatis Affects Balance Scale was employed to assess changes in the preoperative and postoperative mood states of patients. The Visual Analog Scale was used to assess changes in pain status. A convenience sample was used of male patients having orthopedic surgery at the Salt Lake City Veteran's Administration Medical Center between February 10, 1999 and June 9, 1999. Twenty patients having elective hip or knee surgery were classified as the chronic pain group and 7 patients admitted for emergency hip fractures were classified as the acute pain group. This study demonstrated that chronic and acute pain patients differ with regard to their mood profiles and postoperative narcotic needs. However, results of a regression model indicated that preoperative mood profiles did not significantly predict postoperative narcotic needs.