Pediatric anesthesia & critical care
Association between obstructive sleep-disordered breathing severity and pain trajectories after adenotonsillectomy in children: a prospective cohort study
Authors' conclusion
Post-adenotonsillectomy pain at home followed three distinct pain trajectories. Children with severe oSDB (higher mSTBUR scores) were more likely to have severe prolonged pain and to return more often to hospital.
Study context
- Population
- Children aged 2–12 yr undergoing adenotonsillectomy124 with complete Parents' Postoperative Pain Measure (PPPM) data
- Participants
- 245 children
- Exposure
- Preoperative obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (oSDB) severity vs post-adenotonsillectomy pain trajectory
- Trajectory1n = 108
- Trajectory2n = 90
- Trajectory3n = 47reference
- Outcome
- Association of oSDB severity (mSTBUR) with post-adenotonsillectomy pain (PPPM) trajectories and analgesic use
- Follow-up
- 14 PODs
Methodological detailsgroup-based trajectory modelling
- Group-based trajectory modelling
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Higher preoperative mSTBUR score and pain trajectory membership
Each group vs Trajectory3Odds ratio (95% CI)P value
Trajectory1
0.52(0.27–0.97)
P = 0.040Trajectory2
0.58(0.35–0.97)
P = 0.037Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | OR (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unscheduled revisitsTrajectory2 vs Trajectory1 | 3.5 (1.0–11.7) | P = 0.044 | |
| Unscheduled revisitsTrajectory3 vs Trajectory1 | 10.5 (3.1–35.7) | P = 0.0002 | |
| 0.050.21520Odds ratio (log scale) |
| Outcome | P value |
|---|---|
| Daily analgesic dosesTrajectory2 and Trajectory3 vs Trajectory1 · more daily doses | P = 0.04 |
Modified Snoring, Trouble Breathing, Un-Refreshed (mSTBUR)–PPPM association by age
- Association stronger for younger children
Original publication
Association between obstructive sleep-disordered breathing severity and pain trajectories after adenotonsillectomy in children: a prospective cohort study. Br J Anaesth. Published 28 November 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →