Association of pain catastrophizing with labor pain and analgesia consumption in obstetrical patients

INTRODUCTION

Pain catastrophizing is an exaggerated negative orientation to painful stimuli which in obstetric patients is associated with fear of overwhelming labor pain and negative pain-related outcomes. This study aimed to quantitatively examine the association of pain catastrophizing with maternal labor pain outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective observational study of women admitted for a vaginal trial of labor. Subjects completed the 13-item Pain Catastrophizing scale (PCS) questionnaire (scored 0 to 52, higher scores representing greater catastrophizing). Pain was assessed at baseline and at request for neuraxial labor analgesia. Labor and postpartum pain intensity was assessed as the average area under the pain intensity by time curve. Pain at request for analgesia, labor pain, postpartum pain, analgesic consumption, and quality of recovery was compared between high (PCS ≥ 17) and low catastrophizing groups.

RESULTS

Data from 138/157 (88%) subjects were included in the analysis. Median (IQR) pain scores at request for analgesia were 9 (8,10) and 8 (6,9), a difference of 1 (95% CI 0 to 2.5, P = 0.008) in high-catastrophizing and in low-catastrophizing groups, respectively. Adjusted pain during labor, postpartum pain and opioid analgesic use were not significantly different. High-catastrophizers reported less comfort, ability to mobilize and less control during hospitalization. Post-discharge there were no differences in pain or analgesic use.

CONCLUSION

We did not observe greater labor or post-delivery pain or increased analgesic use in high-catastrophizing parturients. High catastrophizers reported greater pain when requesting analgesia, which is consistent with the role of catastrophizing in intensifying the experience of pain.