Self-reported pain sensitivity in adults born extremely preterm compared to term-born controls: A matched cohort study

To compare self-reported pain sensitivity and the use of pain medication in young adults born extremely preterm (EP) with matched term-born controls. In this third follow-up of a population-based cohort study of individuals born EP (gestational age ≤28 weeks) in 1991–92, the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ) was administered together with health-related questions. Matched term-born controls served as a comparison group. At 27 years of age, 24 (69%) EP-born and 26 (74%) term-born controls consented to participate. There were no significant differences between groups in PSQ total, moderate, or minor scores, nor in the use of pain medication. No associations were found between the number of painful procedures in the neonatal period and pain sensitivity at 27 years. Self-reported pain sensitivity and use of pain medication at 27 years of age did not differ between adults born extremely preterm and their term-born peers. • Knowledge of long-term pain sensitivity into adulthood after extremely preterm birth is limited, and previous findings have been inconsistent. • At 27 years of age, adults born extremely preterm reported pain sensitivity similar to that of term-born peers. • Self-reported pain sensitivity may not adequately reflect, or serve as a substitute for, experimental pain testing.