Article ID: 2026-003
Objective: This study aimed to examine the association between length of stay (LOS) and pain in patients with osteoporosis-related fractures (ORF) admitted to a convalescent rehabilitation ward using structural equation modeling (SEM).
Methods: This retrospective observational study included 114 patients with ORF admitted to our convalescent rehabilitation ward between April 2020 and March 2023. We evaluated basic information, physical function, activity levels, pain intensity, number of pain sites, pain catastrophizing, and central sensitization-related symptoms. The associations with LOS were analyzed using SEM.
Results: SEM analysis revealed that discharge pain showed a significant direct association with LOS (standardized coefficient = 0.56), while pain-related factors demonstrated an indirect association through pain (standardized coefficient = 0.64). Basic information showed a significant direct association with LOS (standardized coefficient = 0.61), but physical function/activity did not show a significant direct association (standardized coefficient = 0.11).
Conclusion: In ORF patients admitted to convalescent rehabilitation wards, a significant association was observed between LOS and discharge pain, while psychosocial factors such as pain catastrophizing and central sensitization were indirectly associated with LOS through pain. The findings suggest the importance of comprehensive pain management for optimizing LOS.
