Incidence and Risk Factors of Chronic Pain After Critical Care Illness: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Year: 2026
Type: review
Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Among the numerous components of post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), chronic pain, as an important yet long-neglected feature, has only gradually gained attention in recent years. This study will explore the incidence and risk factors of chronic pain after critical care illness. AIM: To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of chronic pain after critical care illness, providing references for alleviating pain and improving outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: This systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. We searched multiple databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, VIP, CNKI and SinoMed) from their inception to August 20, 2025. Meta-analysis was conducted using STATA 18.0 software. RESULTS: A total of 20 studies involving 4726 patients from 11 different countries were included, 27 related factors were identified. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the incidence of chronic pain after critical care illness at 3 months was 47.0% (95% CI: 41.4%-52.6%), at 6 months was 29.4% (95% CI: 18.9%-41.0%), and at 12 months was 30.9% (95% CI: 16.9%-46.9%). Depressive symptoms (OR = 2.64, 95% CI: 1.67-4.18, p < 0.001), female (OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.51-2.19, p < 0.001), ICU length of stay (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.09-1.57, p = 0.005), and APACHE II score (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.08-1.18, p < 0.001) were risk factors for chronic pain after critical care illness. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic pain after critical care illness is relatively common and influenced by multiple factors. Medical staff should enhance awareness, identify risk factors, and implement personalised interventions through multidisciplinary collaboration. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Early identification and management of chronic pain in critical care survivors are crucial. Healthcare providers should implement targeted pain assessment and intervention strategies during and after ICU stays, while simultaneously educating patients on potential long-term sequelae, including persistent pain, to facilitate timely reporting and adherence to treatment. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: The study protocol was prospectively registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO: CRD420251144495).
Source: Nursing in Critical Care
DOI: 10.1111/nicc.70344
Authors: Tengfei Zhou, Sihan Wu, Ke Shi, Xiumei Qi
Institution: Shandong First Medical University
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7119518673