Chronic pain and quality of life after inguinal hernia repair using the COMI-hernia score.

PURPOSE: The Core Outcome Measure Index (COMI) is a brief and multidimensional, patient-orientated outcome questionnaire that assesses chronic pain and quality of life after groin hernia repair. The primary aim of this study was to prospectively assess the COMI-hernia score, over an extended period of time in a single large cohort of patients.

METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-eight male patients with inguinal hernia repair were included in the present study. Patients were recruited prospectively with an average follow-up of 3 years.

RESULTS: COMI-hernia total and the COMI-hernia pain scores were significantly lower following surgery and remained unchanged over time. Young patients' age (p = 0.043), high preoperative COMI-hernia total score (p = 0.018), and bilateral hernias (p = 0.035) were identified as independent risk factors for adverse outcome after groin hernia repair. Both COMI-hernia total and the COMI-hernia pain scores significantly (p < 2.2*10-16 and p < 1.638*10-11 ) correlated with patient's satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS: The COMI score reflects a reliable tool to assess the outcome following groin hernia repair.