Health
Pain can linger for trauma patients
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 7, 2008
One year after an acute trauma, most patients still have pain, according to a study in the March Archives of Surgery.
Researchers with the University of Washington analyzed data on patients treated at 69 facilities in 14 states. After a year, nearly 63% still had pain related to their injuries, and, of that group, more than 59% had pain in three or more areas.
The authors are calling for the development of interventions that will decrease the risk of long-term pain among these patients.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/04/07/hlbf0407.htm.