Association of Interindividual Variation in Plasma Oxytocin With Postcesarean Incisional Pain

Anesth Analg. 2019 Oct;129(4):e118-e121. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000003567.

Abstract

Oxytocin has known antinociceptive effects and is upregulated perinatally. This pilot study investigated the association of plasma oxytocin and postcesarean incisional pain. Plasma samples from 18 patients undergoing elective cesarean delivery were drawn at 1 hour preoperatively and 1 and 24 hours postoperatively and analyzed by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pain was assessed at 1 day, 8 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. Incisional pain at 24 hours was inversely correlated with 1- and 24-hour oxytocin levels, with higher plasma oxytocin associated with lower pain (ρ, -0.52 and -0.66; P < .05).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biological Variation, Population*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cesarean Section / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Oxytocin / blood*
  • Pain, Postoperative / blood*
  • Pain, Postoperative / diagnosis
  • Pain, Postoperative / etiology
  • Pain, Postoperative / prevention & control
  • Pilot Projects
  • Pregnancy
  • Time Factors
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Oxytocin