Post-ICU persistent pain in survivors

The Post-ICU Pain Study: a Multicenter, Prospective, Inception Cohort Study

Observational Zealand University Hospital · NCT07180407

This study will try to find how common and what causes long-lasting pain in adults who spent at least 48 hours in an ICU in Denmark.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment800 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorZealand University Hospital Academic / other
Locations4 sites (Aalborg and 3 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07180407 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a multicenter, prospective inception cohort of adult ICU survivors in Denmark designed to follow clinical trajectories of persistent pain and related symptoms. The study plans to enroll about 800 acute ICU patients with stays of 48 hours or more from participating hospitals. Participants will be contacted by telephone at 90 and 180 days after ICU discharge and complete standardized questionnaires on pain, sleep, mood, and quality of life. The design aims to identify risk factors and pathophysiologic signals while excluding planned postoperative admissions and patients unable to complete Danish-language questionnaires.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older who were acutely admitted to a participating Danish ICU and stayed at least 48 hours and who can complete questionnaires in Danish are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients admitted after planned elective surgery, those transferred from non-participating ICUs, or those unable to complete Danish questionnaires (including severe cognitive deficits) are unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help clinicians identify ICU survivors at high risk for long-term pain and inform follow-up and treatment strategies.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has documented persistent pain in ICU survivors but results have been conflicting and contemporary data from Danish ICUs are lacking.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult ICU patients ≥18 years of age
* Acute admission to the ICU
* ICU length of stay of at least 48 hours

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients transferred from a non-participating ICU
* Patients with pre-planned admission to the ICU e.g., following elective surgery
* Patients unable to complete questionnaires, including those who are unable to understand or speak Danish, or patients with severe cognitive deficits.

Where this trial is running

Aalborg and 3 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Chronic PainPost Intensive Care Unit SyndromeQuality of LifePain Disorderintensive care unitschronic painsleep disorderanxiety and depression
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.