Optimism measured pre-operatively is associated with reduced pain intensity and physical symptom reporting after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

J Psychosom Res. 2014 Oct;77(4):278-82. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2014.07.018. Epub 2014 Aug 3.

Abstract

Objective: Optimism is thought to be associated with long-term favourable outcomes for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Our objective was to examine the association between optimism and post-operative pain and physical symptoms in CABG patients.

Methods: We assessed optimism pre-operatively in 197 adults undergoing CABG surgery, and then followed them up 6-8 weeks after the procedure to measure affective pain, pain intensity, and physical symptom reporting directly pertaining to CABG surgery.

Results: Greater optimism measured pre-operatively was significantly associated with lower pain intensity (β=-0.150, CI=-0.196 to -0.004, p=.042) and fewer physical symptoms following surgery (β=-0.287, CI=-0.537 to -0.036, p=.025), but not with affective pain, after controlling for demographic, clinical and behavioural covariates, including negative affectivity.

Conclusions: Optimism is a modest, yet significant, predictor of pain intensity and physical symptom reporting after CABG surgery. Having positive expectations may promote better recovery.

Keywords: Coronary artery bypass graft surgery; Optimism; Pain; Pessimism; Physical symptoms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Affect*
  • Aged
  • Coronary Artery Bypass / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain, Postoperative / diagnosis*
  • Personality*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Preoperative Period*
  • Severity of Illness Index