TITLE:
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Postoperative Neuropathic Pain
AUTHORS:
Ferdinand Ndom Ntock, Stéphane Kona, Daniel Gams Massi, Siméon Kolawa Djopkang, Willy Biloguy, Roddy Stéphan Bengono, Gérard Beyiha, Junette Metogo Mbengono
KEYWORDS:
Postoperative Neuropathic Pain, Prevalence, Associated Factors
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Anesthesiology,
Vol.16 No.1,
January
23,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Postoperative neuropathic pain (PNP) is associated with a significant decline in quality of life, characterized by sleep disturbances, persistent functional limitations, and psychological distress, including anxiety and depression. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of PNP. Methods: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study in the general surgery and gynecology departments of first-category hospitals in the city of Douala. Sociodemographic, clinical, surgical, and therapeutic data, as well as the DN4 score, were collected from 211 operated and hospitalized postoperative patients. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the occurrence of PNP by estimating odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results: The mean age of patients was 45.41 ± 14.75 years. The most represented age group was 41 to 55 years, with 96 patients (45.5%). The majority of patients were male (n = 122, 57.8%), unemployed (n = 86, 40.8%), and originated from the West region of Cameroon (n = 99; 46.9%). The prevalence of PNP was 28%. Neuropathic pain was mainly of moderate intensity (62.7%; n = 37), described as burning (54.2%; n = 32), associated with tingling sensations (55.9%; n = 33), and triggered by brushing (89.8%; n = 53). Gynecological surgery (aOR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.19 - 2.80; p = 0.002), anxiety disorders (aOR = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.48 - 3.18; p = 0.001), amputation (aOR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.13 - 3.40; p = 0.025), mastectomy (aOR = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.09 - 2.90; p = 0.012), and thoracotomy (aOR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.26 - 4.61; p = 0.009) were significantly associated with postoperative neuropathic pain. Conclusion: The prevalence of PNP is high among postoperative patients and is most commonly characterized by burning sensations, tingling, and brush-induced allodynia. Its occurrence is independently associated with preoperative anxiety, amputations, mastectomies, as well as gynecological and thoracic surgeries.