Prospective analysis of pain expectancy and experience during MR-fusion prostate biopsy: does reality match patients’ expectancy?

PURPOSE: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging fusion targeted prostate biopsy (MR-TB) has emerged to the biopsy technique of choice for evaluation of patients with suspected prostate cancer (PCA). The study aimed to determine expected and experienced pain during MR-TB depending on patients’ psychological state. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 108 men with suspicion of PCA who underwent MR-TB. All patients completed self-reported validated questionnaires assessing pain, stress, self-efficacy, anxiety and study-specific questionnaires on expected and experienced pain before, during and after MR-TB. Patient characteristics and survey scores were obtained. RESULTS: Overall, pain levels during MR-TB were low (mean 2.8/10 ± 2.5 Numerical Rating Scale, NRS). 10/86 (11.6%) participants reported severe pain (≥ 7/10 NRS). Pain correlated significantly with anxiety (r = 0.42), stress (r = 0.22) and pain expectancy (r = 0.58). High self-efficacy did not show increased pain resilience. Participants anticipated more pain than experienced during each step of MR-TB with significant differences concerning local anesthesia and core sampling (both p < 0.001), among others. Expectancy and actual pain did not match regarding severity and impact of the total amount of cores taken (p < 0.05). Independent predictors of increased pain at biopsy were prostate volume > 50 ml (p = 0.0179) and expected pain during rectal manipulation (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Pain during MR-TB can be positively influenced by reducing men’s anxiety, stress and pain expectancy. To meet the needs of the audience, clinicians should address concrete pain levels of each procedural step and consider special treatment for patients with prostate volume > 50 ml and men reporting on increased rectal sensitivity. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00345-022-04083-3.