Postoperative Pain, Central Sensitization, and Sleep Quality in Breast Cancer Surgery Patients

This prospective observational study aims to investigate whether preoperative central sensitization and sleep quality are associated with acute postoperative pain levels in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery. The study includes 41 female patients scheduled for unilateral breast cancer surgery. Before surgery, participants are evaluated using two self-report questionnaires: the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Based on their scores, participants are categorized into groups according to central sensitization level and sleep quality. After surgery, all participants receive a standardized multimodal analgesia protocol. Pain severity is measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at five time points within the first 24 hours: 30 minutes, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively. Additional assessments include sedation level (Ramsay Sedation Scale), nausea and vomiting (Verbal Descriptive Scale), and presence of delirium (Nursing Delirium Screening Scale - NuDESC). The primary question this study seeks to answer is whether higher levels of central sensitization and/or poor sleep quality prior to surgery are predictive of greater acute postoperative pain.