Investigating predictors of chronification of post-surgical pain using data mining and qualitative interviews: an international mixed methods study

Summary

Understanding factors that predict the development of chronic postsurgical pain.

How are we doing it?

This research will be conducted using both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Semi- structured interviews with patients will be conducted to investigate their lived experiences of chronic pain following groin hernia repair surgery. The results of this will guide the quantitative analysis of data using machine learning and traditional statistical techniques.

What happens next?

By reliably identifying modifiable risk factors associated with the development of chronic pain after groin hernia surgery, we can:

• Explore patient phenotypes for chronic pain development and responses to treatment.
• Contribute to the development of a specific Patient Reported Outcome Measure.

Funding

NIHR Biomedical Research Centre.

People Involved

Dr Jan Vollert (Lead), Dr John Findlay, Professor Sallie Lamb

Collaborators

Dr Sam Hughes, Philip Sperling