ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND: Post-mastectomy pain syndrome ischronic pain that starts after total mastectomy or quadrantectomy and continuous for more than 3 months after surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of PMPS and its impact on Quality of Life among Mastectomy patients of Peshawar.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Peshawar, Pakistan. This survey included 178 post-mastectomy patients. Out of these, 13 patients were drop out, 165 patients remainedin the present study. A consent form and standard DN4 (Douleur neuropathic 4), SF-MPQ (Short form of McGill pain questionnaire), VAS (Visual analog scale), and SF-36 (Short form 36 health survey) were given to 165 patients Post Mastectomy patients from Peshawar Pakistan. Data were analyzed through SPSS, version 25 after data collection.

RESULT: The mean age±SD of patients interviewed PMPS and NON-PMPS was 39.77±10.26. The PMPS was determined to have neuropathic character (4 or greater than 4 points according to the DN-4 survey) in 73 (44.2%) patients with mean ± SD=5.32±1.60. VAS scoring of 42(57.5%) patients was mild (0-3), moderate (4-7) were 30(41.1%) and severe (8-10) was 1(1.3%) with mean±SD=3.43±1.23. The most frequently selected SF‑MPQ terms were Tender, Heavy, Sickening and Hot burning.

CONCLUSION: The result of this investigation confirmed that PMPS is a typical complication of mastectomy patients that significantly influence patient’s QoL in all aspects. Its prevalence is 44.2% in this study. The primary risk factor for PMPS was treated with radiotherapy. More consideration must be paid to recognize PMPS, its risk factors, and appropriate management of it.