Prognostic factors for pain and functional disability in children and adolescents with persisting pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Quality of life in adolescents with longstanding non-traumatic knee pain: An analysis of 316 adolescents with Patellofemoral Pain and Osgood-Schlatter Disease

OBJECTIVES

To describe the Quality of Life (QoL) among adolescents with Patellofemoral Pain (PFP) and Osgood-Schlatter Disease (OSD) and investigate characteristics associated with QoL.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

PARTICIPANTS

316 adolescents with PFP or OSD.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

QoL subscale of The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and the EuroQol 5-dimensions (EQ-5D).

RESULTS

The KOOS-QoL was 51 ± 18, and the total index score for the EQ5D was 0.67 ± 0.21. KOOS-QoL subscale showed that 60% reported being aware of their knee problems daily or constantly, 38% reported severe to extreme lack of confidence in their knees, 28% reported severe to extreme difficulty with their knees, and 20% reported severely or totally modifying their lifestyle to avoid potentially damaging activities to their knee. EQ-5D showed that 79% experienced problems with everyday activities, 48% reported mobility problems, 17% felt worried, sad, or unhappy, and 7% reported problems looking after themselves.

CONCLUSIONS

Many adolescents with longstanding non-traumatic knee pain experience low QoL. More than half were aware of their knee problems at least daily, one in three reported a severe lack of confidence in their knee, and one in six felt worried, sad, or unhappy.

Lifestyle behaviour in adolescence and musculoskeletal pain 11 years later: The Trøndelag Health Study

Background

There is limited knowledge on the association between lifestyle behaviour in adolescence and musculoskeletal pain in young adulthood. This study aimed to investigate whether an accumulation of adverse lifestyle behaviours in adolescents with and without musculoskeletal pain at baseline, was associated with persistent musculoskeletal pain (pain duration ≥3 consecutive months the last year) 11 years later.

Methods

Longitudinal data from the Trøndelag Health Study in Norway including 1824 adolescents (13–19 years old) was analysed. The outcome was persistent musculoskeletal pain (≥3 months). The number of adverse lifestyle behaviours (low physical activity level, sleep problems, insufficient fruit/vegetables consumption, smoking, frequent alcohol intoxication [drunkenness] and/or illicit drug use) were summed up to comprise an ordinal variable and analysed with 0 or 1 adverse behaviours as the reference. Multiple logistic regression analyses, stratified by individuals with and without baseline musculoskeletal pain, were conducted. The results were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

In adolescents with musculoskeletal pain at baseline, reporting ≥ four adverse lifestyle behaviours increased the odds of persistent musculoskeletal pain (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.36, 3.66) 11 years later. Two and three adverse behaviours were not associated with future persistent musculoskeletal pain. In adolescents without musculoskeletal pain at baseline, an accumulation of adverse lifestyle behaviours was not associated with future persistent musculoskeletal pain.

Conclusion

An accumulation of adverse lifestyle behaviours in adolescents with musculoskeletal pain at baseline was associated with persistent musculoskeletal pain 11 years later, but not in adolescents without musculoskeletal pain at baseline.

Significance

An accumulation of four or more adverse lifestyle behaviours in adolescents with musculoskeletal pain was associated with persistent musculoskeletal pain in young adulthood. In future health care of adolescents with musculoskeletal pain, lifestyle behaviours should be assessed, with emphasis on accumulation of multiple adverse lifestyle behaviours. Focusing on an accumulation of multiple adverse lifestyle behaviours, rather than each individual behaviour, might provide a potential area for future research and interventions targeting musculoskeletal pain in youth.

Predictors of pain persistence and disability in high-school students with chronic neck pain at 6-month follow-up

BACKGROUND

Neck pain tends to persist for periods of 1 to 4 years of follow-up in adolescents, and a high percentage of them report disability. However, studies assessing the factors associated with persistent neck pain and disability in this age group are scarce. This study aimed to explore the association between psychosocial factors, sleep, and symptoms of central sensitization at baseline and the persistence of neck pain and disability at 6-month follow-up.

METHODS

A total of 710 adolescents with chronic neck pain were assessed at baseline with an online questionnaire that collected information on sociodemographic data, presence of musculoskeletal pain, pain intensity, physical activity, functional disability, depression, anxiety, stress, quality of sleep, catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, self-efficacy, and symptoms of central sensitization. At 6-month follow-up, adolescents were reassessed for disability and pain intensity and categorized as recovered or reporting persistent neck pain.

RESULTS

Of the 710 participants with neck pain at baseline, 334 were classified as having persistent neck pain and 375 adolescents as being recovered at 6-month follow-up. Multivariable analysis showed that female gender (OR 1.47; p = 0.04) and symptoms of central sensitization (OR 1.02; p = 0.001) at baseline were positively associated with the persistence of neck pain at 6-month follow-up. Similarly, higher levels of disability (β = 0.41; p < 0.001) and symptoms of central sensitization (β = 0.28; p < 0.001) at the baseline were positively associated with disability.

CONCLUSIONS

Symptoms of central sensitization and disability at baseline should be considered in the assessment and design of interventions for adolescents with chronic neck pain as an attempt to minimize its future impact on pain persistence and disability.

The Role of Sleep in the Transition from Acute to Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in Youth-A Narrative Review

Musculoskeletal pain is common in the general pediatric population and is a challenge to youth, their parents, and society. The majority of children experiencing musculoskeletal pain will recover; however, a small subgroup of youth develops chronic pain. There is limited understanding of the factors that affect the transition from acute to chronic pain in youth. This review introduces sleep deficiency in the acute to chronic pain transition, exploring the potential mediational or mechanistic role and pathways of sleep in this process, including the interaction with sensory, psychological, and social components of pain and highlighting new avenues for treatment. Biological mechanisms include the increased production of inflammatory mediators and the effect on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and on the dopaminergic signaling. Psychological and social components include the effect of sleep on the emotional-affective and behavioral components of pain, the negative impact on daily and social activities and coping strategies and on the reward system, increased pain catastrophizing, fear of pain, pain-related anxiety, hypervigilance, and social isolation. Future longitudinal studies are needed to elucidate these mechanistic pathways of the effect of sleep on the transition from acute to chronic pain, which may lead to the development of new treatment targets to prevent this transition.

Antidepressants for functional abdominal pain disorders in children and adolescents

BACKGROUND

Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders (FAPDs) present a considerable burden to paediatric patients, impacting quality of life, school attendance and causing higher rates of anxiety and depression disorders. There are no international guidelines for the management of this condition. A previous Cochrane Review in 2011 found no evidence to support the use of antidepressants in this context.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the current evidence for the efficacy and safety of antidepressants for FAPDs in children and adolescents.

SEARCH METHODS

In this updated review, we searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and two clinical trial registers from inception until 03 February 2020. We also updated our search of databases of ongoing research, reference lists and 'grey literature' from inception to 03 February 2020.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing antidepressants to placebo, to no treatment or to any other intervention, in children aged 4 to 18 years with a FAPD diagnosis as per the Rome or any other defined criteria (as defined by the authors). The primary outcomes of interest included treatment success (as defined by the authors), pain severity, pain frequency and withdrawal due to adverse events.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors checked all citations independently, resolving disagreement with a third-party arbiter. We reviewed all potential studies in full text, and once again made independent decisions, with disagreements resolved by consensus. We conducted data extraction and 'Risk of bias' assessments independently, following Cochrane methods. Where homogeneous data were available, we performed meta-analysis using a random-effects model. We conducted GRADE analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

We found one new study in this updated search, making a total of three trials (223 participants) eligible for inclusion: two using amitriptyline (AMI) and one using citalopram. For the primary outcome of treatment success, two studies used reports of success on a symptom-based Likert scale, with either a two-point reduction or the two lowest levels defined as success. The third study defined success as a 15% improvement in quality of life (QOL) ratings scales. Therefore, meta-analysis did not include this final study due to the heterogeneity of the outcome measure. There is low-certainty evidence that there may be no difference when antidepressants are compared with placebo (risk ratio (RR) 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87 to 1.56; 2 studies, 205 participants; I2 = 0%). We downgraded the evidence for significant imprecision due to extremely sparse data (see Summary of findings table 1). The third study reported that participants receiving antidepressants were significantly more likely than those receiving placebo to experience at least a 15% improvement in overall QOL score at 10 and 13 weeks (P = 0.007 and P = 0.002, respectively (absolute figures were not given)). The analysis found no difference in withdrawals due to adverse events between antidepressants and placebo: RR 3.17 (95% CI 0.65 to 15.33), with very low certainty due to high risk of bias in studies and imprecision due to low event and participant numbers. Sensitivity analysis using a fixed-effect model and analysing just for AMI found no change in this result. Due to heterogeneous and limited reporting, no further meta-analysis was possible.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There may be no difference between antidepressants and placebo for treatment success of FAPDs in childhood. There may be no difference in withdrawals due to adverse events, but this is also of low certainty. There is currently no evidence to support clinical decision making regarding the use of these medications. Further studies must consider sample size, homogenous and relevant outcome measures and longer follow up.