25 percent report problems post-surgery

MAASTRICHT, Netherlands, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- A Dutch researcher says up to 25 percent of patients report more physical and other problems a year after surgery than before.

In addition, Dr. Madelon Peters of Maastricht University in the Netherlands reports 1 in 7 patients had more pain, physical and emotional problems one year after surgery than before their operation, and 25 percent had less vitality.

"Our study showed poor recovery was relatively frequent six and 12 months after surgery and could be partly explained by various physical and psychological factors" Peters says in a statement.

The study, published in the British Journal of Surgery, also finds 12 months after their operation:

-- Half of patients said pain levels had improved and 29 percent said they were stable, but 17 percent reported greater pain.

-- Most patients had better or similar functional abilities but 14 percent said their functional abilities had been reduced.

-- Thirty-four percent of patients had better mental health, 50 percent did not change and 16 percent had poorer mental health.

Peters and colleagues questioned 216 women and 185 men -- average age 54 -- before, six months after, and 12 months after the subjects had undergone planned surgery for pain, functioning and other aspects of health.