Table 1 Research questions according to the PICO format
Research question | Population | Intervention/exposure and comparators | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
Q1 | Adults undergoing non-cardiac surgery | Exposure: acute (presence) or moderate to severe (intensity) postsurgical pain Comparator: no or mild acute postsurgical pain | POD or POCD |
Q2 | Adults undergoing non-cardiac surgery | Intervention: pharmacological and non-pharmacological management strategies to treat or prevent perioperative acute pain with proved or intended opioid-sparing effect Comparator: pain management strategy without proved or intended opioid-sparing effect or standard of care | Primary: POD or POCD Secondary: perioperative acute pain, CPSP |
Q3 | Adults undergoing non-cardiac surgery | Exposure: CPSP (presence or intensity) Comparator: no CPSP or less intense CPSP | POCD |
Q4 | Adults undergoing non-cardiac surgery | Intervention: pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management strategies to treat or prevent PPSP with proved or intended opioid-sparing effect Comparator: pain management strategy without proved or intended opioid-sparing effect or standard of care | Primary: POCD Secondary: CPSP |