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The measurement of chronic pain and health-related quality of life following inguinal hernia repair: a review of the literature

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Abstract

Background and methods

This study reviews the existing literature examining chronic pain and health-related quality of life (HRQL) outcomes in hernia repair studies. A PubMed/Medline and Embase search was carried out to identify relevant papers. Studies meeting pre-specified inclusion/exclusion criteria were included and fully reviewed. Reference lists were scanned for additional studies. Only studies examining chronic (>3 months) post-operative inguinal hernia repair (IHR)-related pain were included in this review.

Results and conclusions

Twenty-three studies were identified. The majority of studies used the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain measurement and the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36) for the measurement of HRQL. A reasonably consistent picture emerged from the literature, with the HRQL domains most often affected by pain (social functioning/mental health). Estimates of the prevalence of chronic pain and discomfort following IHR vary widely between studies. This is probably a reflection of the range of methods used for measuring pain, many of which do not have established psychometric properties. Our review suggests that a proportion of patients experience chronic pain and discomfort, which has a significant impact on HRQL. However, the current instruments used in the evaluation of chronic pain after IHR are not comparable and standardisation is required.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. United BioSource Corporation, 20 Bloomsbury Square, London, WC1A 2NS, UK

    P. van Hanswijck de Jonge & L. Horsfall

  2. Oxford Outcomes, Seacourt Tower, West Way, Botley, Oxford, OX2 0JJ, UK

    A. Lloyd

  3. Ethicon, a Johnson and Johnson Company, Simpson Parkway, Kirkton Campus, Livingston, Scotland, EH54 7AT, UK

    R. Tan

  4. Glasgow University, Glasgow, UK

    P. J. O’Dwyer

Authors
  1. P. van Hanswijck de Jonge
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  2. A. Lloyd
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  3. L. Horsfall
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  4. R. Tan
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  5. P. J. O’Dwyer
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. Horsfall.

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van Hanswijck de Jonge, P., Lloyd, A., Horsfall, L. et al. The measurement of chronic pain and health-related quality of life following inguinal hernia repair: a review of the literature. Hernia 12, 561–569 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-008-0412-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-008-0412-y

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