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

• Published in: Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery 2008-12, Vol.12 (6), p.561-569
• Main Authors: van Hanswijck de Jonge, P., Lloyd, A., Horsfall, L., Tan, R., O’Dwyer, P. J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abdominal Surgery; Chronic Disease; Hernia, Inguinal - surgery; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Pain Measurement; Pain, Postoperative; Quality of Life; Review
• ISSN: 1265-4906; 1248-9204
• DOI: 10.1007/s10029-008-0412-y

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.