Risk factors for traumatic and non-traumatic lower limb pain among preadolescents: a population-based study of Finnish schoolchildren

Who develops chronic pain after an acute lower limb injury? A longitudinal study of children and adolescents

ABSTRACT

Prevention of chronic pain is a major challenge in this area of clinical practice. To do this, we must be able to understand who is most at risk of developing chronic pain after an injury. In this study, we aimed to identify risk factors of chronic pain onset, disability, and pain interference after a lower limb musculoskeletal injury in children and adolescents between 8 to 16 years of age. We assessed biopsychosocial factors including age, sex, pubertal status, anxiety, depression, fear of pain, pain worry, adverse life events, and sleep in children. We also assessed risk factors in parents including parent anxiety, depression, parent pain catastrophising, and protective behaviours. Logistic and hierarchical linear regressions identified risk factors assessed immediately postinjury for outcomes assessed at 3 months postinjury. Fourteen percent (17/118 children) reported chronic pain 3 months after injury. There were significant between-group differences in children with and without chronic pain at baseline. Children with chronic pain reported higher pain intensity, disability, pain interference, child depression, fear of pain, and catastrophic thinking about their pain. Regressions showed child depression and fear of pain at baseline independently predicted chronic pain onset at 3 months, parent protectiveness predicted child pain interference at 3 months, and child depression, poor sleep, parent anxiety and pain catastrophising predicted disability. Most children recover after a lower limb injury, but a minority develop chronic pain predicted by important psychosocial risk factors, which could be addressed to prevent the onset of treatment-resistant chronic pain and disability.

Are children living with obesity more likely to experience musculoskeletal symptoms during childhood? A linked longitudinal cohort study using primary care records

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether there is a higher incidence of musculoskeletal consultations in general practice among children with obesity.

DESIGN

Longitudinal SETTING: 285 north-east London general practitioners (GPs).

PARTICIPANTS

63 418 (50.9% boys) Reception and 55 364 (50.8% boys) Year 6 National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) participants, linked to GP electronic health records (EHRs).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

A GP consultation with a recorded musculoskeletal symptom or diagnosis.

METHODS

We calculated proportions with a musculoskeletal consultation by ethnic-adjusted weight status (underweight <2nd; overweight ≥91st; obese ≥98th centile), sex, ethnicity, and area-level deprivation. We estimated mutually-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using Cox's proportional regression models stratified by school year and sex.

RESULTS

We identified 1868 (3.0%) Reception and 4477 (8.1%) Year 6 NCMP participants with at least one musculoskeletal consultation. In adjusted analyses, Reception year girls with a body mass index (BMI) classified as overweight (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.52) or obese (HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.35 to 2.06) were more likely to have at least one musculoskeletal consultation. Year 6 girls with obesity were more likely (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.35), and boys with a BMI in the underweight range were less likely (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.73), to have a musculoskeletal consultation.

CONCLUSIONS

Girls living with obesity at the start or end of primary school are more likely to attend their GP for a musculoskeletal consultation. Routine linkage of NCMP data to EHRs provides useful insights into childhood health conditions related to excess weight in early childhood. Recognition of obesity as a contributing factor for musculoskeletal symptoms may inform clinical management, particularly in girls.

Pediatric joint hypermobility: a diagnostic framework and narrative review

BACKGROUND

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) are debilitating conditions. Diagnosis is currently clinical in the absence of biomarkers, and criteria developed for adults are difficult to use in children and biologically immature adolescents. Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) is a prerequisite for hEDS and generalized HSD. Current literature identifies a large proportion of children as hypermobile using a Beighton score ≥ 4 or 5/9, the cut off for GJH in adults. Other phenotypic features from the 2017 hEDS criteria can arise over time. Finally, many comorbidities described in hEDS/HSD are also seen in the general pediatric and adolescent population. Therefore, pediatric specific criteria are needed. The Paediatric Working Group of the International Consortium on EDS and HSD has developed a pediatric diagnostic framework presented here. The work was informed by a review of the published evidence.

OBSERVATIONS

The framework has 4 components, GJH, skin and tissue abnormalities, musculoskeletal complications, and core comorbidities. A Beighton score of ≥ 6/9 best identifies children with GJH at 2 standard deviations above average, based on published general population data. Skin and soft tissue changes include soft skin, stretchy skin, atrophic scars, stretch marks, piezogenic papules, and recurrent hernias. Two symptomatic groups were agreed: musculoskeletal and systemic. Emerging comorbid relationships are discussed. The framework generates 8 subgroups, 4 pediatric GJH, and 4 pediatric generalized hypermobility spectrum disorders. hEDS is reserved for biologically mature adolescents who meet the 2017 criteria, which also covers even rarer types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome at any age.

CONCLUSIONS

This framework allows hypermobile children to be categorized into a group describing their phenotypic and symptomatic presentation. It clarifies the recommendation that comorbidities should be defined using their current internationally accepted frameworks. This provides a foundation for improving clinical care and research quality in this population.

Psychosocial factors play a greater role in preoperative symptoms for patients with atraumatic shoulder instability: data from the MOON-Shoulder Instability group

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have demonstrated that psychosocial factors and comorbid depression are associated with worse preoperative baseline measures, clinical outcomes, and recovery in patients undergoing shoulder surgery. It is unknown whether this potential link would differ between those with traumatic vs. atraumatic shoulder instability, as symptoms may persist longer in atraumatic instability prior to surgical intervention. The purpose of this study was to determine if psychosocial factors and/or comorbid depression more heavily influence preoperative symptoms for patients with traumatic vs. atraumatic shoulder instability.

METHODS

Prospective baseline data from 1552 patients in the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) Shoulder Instability cohort were analyzed based on mechanism of injury while controlling for age, sex, and direction of instability. Multivariable linear regressions were performed to determine whether psychological factors (RAND 36 Mental Component Score [MCS], depression diagnosis, Personality Assessment Screener-22) were predictive of preoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES) and Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) scores in the atraumatic group. The same model was repeated for the traumatic instability group, and the model fit was compared between groups, with P < .05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Female sex and lower MCS were significantly associated with worse preoperative ASES and WOSI scores for the group with atraumatic instability (ASES R2 = 0.15, P < .001; WOSI R2 = 0.17, P < .001). The same model performed significantly worse (P < .05) for both ASES and WOSI scores in the group with traumatic instability (ASES R2 = 0.07, WOSI R2 = 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

Worse preoperative psychosocial factors were found to be more strongly associated with shoulder-related pain and function for patients with atraumatic instability. Across multiple orthopedic conditions, depression and emotional well-being have been associated with worse preoperative symptoms and inferior postoperative patient-reported outcomes. Despite the stronger and significant association in atraumatic patients, worse psychosocial factors did not have as large an impact as has been seen in other, more chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis or rotator cuff tears. In addition to medically optimizing patients prior to surgery, the current findings identify a subset of shoulder instability patients that may benefit from a behavioral health intervention either prior to surgery or early in the postoperative period to potentially improve postoperative outcomes.

Impact of sex, sleep, symptoms of central sensitization and psychosocial factors in adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain-an exploratory study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore and compare the association between psychosocial factors, sleep, central sensitization, and chronic neck, back, limbs, and multiregional pain and disability.

METHODS

1730 adolescents responded to an online questionnaire containing: sociodemographic data, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Functional Disability Inventory, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, Basic Scale on Insomnia Complaints and Quality of Sleep, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, Child Self-Efficacy Scale and Central Sensitization Inventory. Univariable and multivariable regression analysis was used to assess the associations between these variables and pain and disability.

RESULTS

Groups were categorized into neck (n = 54), back (n = 80), upper limb (n = 52), lower limb (n = 109) and multiregional (n = 1140) pain. Multivariable analysis showed that symptoms of central sensitization increased odds of neck, back, and multiregional pain; depression, anxiety and stress, and physical activity increased odds of multiregional pain; and fear of movement increased odds of lower limb pain. Female gender increased the odds of pain in all groups, except in the lower limb group. Depression, anxiety, and stress also remained associated with disability in neck, back, upper limb, and multiregional pain; poorer sleep remained associated with disability in neck, upper limb, and multiregional pain; catastrophizing remained associated with back, and multiregional pain; and fear of movement and symptoms of central sensitization were only associated with disability in multiregional pain.

CONCLUSIONS

There are similar but also different variables associated with the presence of pain and disability in the neck, back, limbs, and multiregional pain.

Exploring the underlying mechanism of pain-related disability in hypermobile adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain

OBJECTIVES

A significant proportion of adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) experience difficulties in physical functioning, mood and social functioning, contributing to diminished quality of life. Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) is a risk factor for developing CMP with a striking 35-48% of patients with CMP reporting GJH. In case GJH occurs with one or more musculoskeletal manifestations such as chronic pain, trauma, disturbed proprioception and joint instability, it is referred to as generalized hypermobility spectrum disorder (G-HSD). Similar characteristics have been reported in children and adolescents with the hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). In the management of CMP, a biopsychosocial approach is recommended as several studies have confirmed the impact of psychosocial factors in the development and maintenance of CMP. The fear-avoidance model (FAM) is a cognitive-behavioural framework that describes the role of pain-related fear as a determinant of CMP-related disability.

CONTENT

Pubmed was used to identify existing relevant literature focussing on chronic musculoskeletal pain, generalized joint hypermobility, pain-related fear and disability. Relevant articles were cross-referenced to identify articles possibly missed during the primary screening. In this paper the current state of scientific evidence is presented for each individual component of the FAM in hypermobile adolescents with and without CMP. Based on this overview, the FAM is proposed explaining a possible underlying mechanism in the relations between GJH, pain-related fear and disability.

SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK

It is assumed that GJH seems to make you more vulnerable for injury and experiencing more frequent musculoskeletal pain. But in addition, a vulnerability for heightened pain-related fear is proposed as an underlying mechanism explaining the relationship between GJH and disability. Further scientific confirmation of this applied FAM is warranted to further unravel the underlying mechanism.In explaining disability in individuals with G-HSD/hEDS, it is important to focus on both the physical components related to joint hypermobility, in tandem with the psychological components such as pain-related fear, catastrophizing thoughts and generalized anxiety.

Musculoskeletal pain distribution in 1,000 Danish schoolchildren aged 8-16 years

Background

Knowledge about the occurrence and distribution of musculoskeletal problems in early life is needed. The objectives were to group children aged 8 to 16 according to their distribution of pain in the spine, lower- and upper extremity, determine the proportion of children in each subgroup, and describe these in relation to sex, age, number- and length of episodes with pain.

Method

Data on musculoskeletal pain from about 1,000 Danish schoolchildren was collected over 3 school years (2011 to 2014) using weekly mobile phone text message responses from parents, indicating whether their child had pain in the spine, lower extremity and/or upper extremity. Result are presented for each school year individually.

Results

When pain was defined as at least 1 week with pain during a school year, Danish schoolchildren could be divided into three almost equally large groups for all three school years: Around 30% reporting no pain, around 40% reporting pain in one region, and around 30% reporting pain in two or three regions. Most commonly children experienced pain from the lower extremities (~ 60%), followed by the spine (~ 30%) and the upper extremities (~ 23%). Twice as many girls reported pain in all three sites compared to boys (10% vs. 5%) with no other statistically significant sex or age differences observed. When pain was defined as at least 3 weeks with pain during a schoolyear, 40% reported pain with similar patterns to those for the more lenient pain definition of 1 week.

Conclusion

Danish schoolchildren often experienced pain at more than one pain site during a schoolyear, and a significantly larger proportion of girls than boys reported pain in all three regions. This could indicate that, at least in some instances, the musculoskeletal system should be regarded as one entity, both for clinical and research purposes.

Prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal pain symptoms among school-age adolescents: age and sex differences

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Non-specific musculoskeletal pain symptoms are common in adolescents and may differ between the sexes, and be related to age and daily activities. It is critical to examine the prevalence and frequency of symptoms in adolescent students who tend to have pain which interferes with their routine activities. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and frequency of self-reported musculoskeletal pain symptoms by age and sex, and we also examined the association of symptoms with routine activities of school-age adolescents by area of pain.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Thai students aged 10-19 years. All 2,750 students were asked to report previous 7-day and/or 12-month pain using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire (Thai version) in 10 body areas. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for age and sex was used to analyze the association between daily activity and musculoskeletal pain symptoms.

RESULTS

A total of 76.1% (n=2,093) of students reported experiencing pain in the previous 7 days, 73.0% (n=2,007) reported in the previous 12-month period and 83.8% (n=2,304) reported pain in both 7-day and 12-month periods. The most common pain area was from a headache, with other areas being neck and shoulders, in that order, for both periods of time. The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was especially higher in older groups and females. Participants reported frequency of pain as "sometimes in different areas" ranging from 78.4% to 88% and severity of pain at 3.82±2.06 out of 10 (95% CI 3.74-3.91). Routine daily activities associated with symptoms of headache, neck, shoulders, and ankles or feet pain were computer use (head, OR=2.22), school bag carrying (neck, OR=2.05), school bag carrying (shoulder, OR=3.09), and playing sports (ankle or foot, OR=2.68).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain symptoms was high in both the previous 7-day and 12-month periods, especially in females and older adolescents, although most of them sometimes experienced pain. Computer use and school bag carrying were associated with headache, neck and shoulder pain, while playing sports was related to symptoms of the foot and ankle.

IMPLICATIONS

The prevalence of pain was high, particularly in the older and female groups. Although they experienced mild symptoms sometimes, the related daily activities leading to these symptoms should be closely noticed.

Musculoskeletal extremity pain in Danish school children - how often and for how long? The CHAMPS study-DK

Background

Musculoskeletal pain is common in childhood and adolescence, and may be long-lasting and recurrent. Musculoskeletal problems tend to follow adolescents into adulthood, and therefore it is important to design better prevention strategies and early effective treatment. To this end, we need in-depth knowledge about the epidemiology of musculoskeletal extremity problems in this age group, and therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, frequency and course of musculoskeletal pain in the upper and lower extremities in a cohort of Danish school children aged 8–14 years at baseline.

Methods

This was a prospective 3-year school-based cohort study, with information about musculoskeletal pain collected in two ways. Parents answered weekly mobile phone text messages about the presence or absence of musculoskeletal pain in their children, and a clinical consultation was performed in a subset of the children.

Results

We found that approximately half the children had lower extremity pain every study year. This pain lasted on average for 8 weeks out of a study year, and the children had on average two and a half episodes per study year. Approximately one quarter of the children had upper extremity pain every study year that lasted on average 3 weeks during a study year, with one and a half episodes being the average. In general, there were more non-traumatic pain episodes compared with traumatic episodes in the lower extremities, whereas the opposite was true in the upper extremities. The most common anatomical pain sites were ‘knee’ and ‘ankle/ft’.

Conclusion

Lower extremity pain among children and adolescents is common, recurrent and most often of non-traumatic origin. Upper extremity pain is less common, with fewer and shorter episodes, and usually with a traumatic onset. Girls more frequently reported upper extremity pain, whereas there was no sex-related difference in the lower extremities. The most frequently reported locations were ‘knee’ and ‘ankle/ft’.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12891-017-1859-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Prevalence and incidence of musculoskeletal extremity complaints in children and adolescents. A systematic review

BACKGROUND

It is difficult to gain an overview of musculoskeletal extremity complaints in childhood although this is essential to develop evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies. The objectives of this systematic review were therefore to describe the prevalence and incidence of musculoskeletal extremity complaints in children and adolescents in both general and clinical populations in relation to age, anatomical site and mode of onset.

METHODS

MEDLINE and EMBASE were electronically searched; risk of bias was assessed; and data extraction was individually performed by two authors.

RESULTS

In total, 19 general population studies and three clinical population studies were included with children aged 0-19 years. For most of the analyses, a division between younger children aged 0-12 years, and older children aged 10-19 years was used. Lower extremity complaints were more common than upper extremity complaints regardless of age and type of population, with the most frequent pain site changing from ankle/foot in the youngest to knee in the oldest. There were about twice as many non-traumatic as traumatic complaints in the lower extremities, whereas the opposite relationship was found for the upper extremities in the general population studies. There were relatively more lower extremity complaints in the general population studies than in the clinical population studies. The review showed no pattern of differences in reporting between studies of high and low risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

This review shows that musculoskeletal complaints are more frequent in the lower extremities than in the upper extremities in childhood, and there are indications of a large amount of non-traumatic low intensity complaints in the population that do not reach threshold for consultation. A meta-analysis, or even a simple overall description of prevalence and incidence of musculoskeletal extremity complaints in children and adolescents was not feasible, due to a large variety in the studies, primarily related to outcome measurements.

Musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents

Introduction

Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain in children and adolescents is responsible for substantial personal impacts and societal costs, but it has not been intensively or systematically researched. This means our understanding of these conditions is limited, and healthcare professionals have little empirical evidence to underpin their clinical practice. In this article we summarise the state of the evidence concerning MSK pain in children and adolescents, and offer suggestions for future research.

Results

Rates of self-reported MSK pain in adolescents are similar to those in adult populations and they are typically higher in teenage girls than boys. Epidemiological research has identified conditions such as back and neck pain as major causes of disability in adolescents, and in up to a quarter of cases there are impacts on school or physical activities. A range of physical, psychological and social factors have been shown to be associated with MSK pain report, but the strength and direction of these relationships are unclear. There are few validated instruments available to quantify the nature and severity of MSK pain in children, but some show promise. Several national surveys have shown that adolescents with MSK pain commonly seek care and use medications for their condition. Some studies have revealed a link between MSK pain in adolescents and chronic pain in adults.

Conclusion

Musculoskeletal pain conditions are often recurrent in nature, occurring throughout the life-course. Attempts to understand these conditions at a time close to their initial onset may offer a better chance of developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Consultation patterns of children and adolescents with knee pain in UK general practice: analysis of medical records

BACKGROUND

Knee problems are common in children and adolescents. Despite this, little is known about the epidemiology of knee problems in children and adolescents who consult in general practice. The aim of this study was to describe consultations by children and adolescents about knee problems in general practice, and examine patterns of patient presentations and consultations by age group, sex and area of socio-economic deprivation.

METHODS

Consultations records specific to the knee region were extracted from a general practice consultation database (CiPCA) over a one year period. Knee consultation codes were organised into 'symptom' or 'diagnosis' (sub-categorised: 'trauma', 'non-trauma') categories. Descriptive statistics were used to describe patient presentations and number of consultations overall, and stratified analysis carried out on age group, sex, and area of socio-economic deprivation.

RESULTS

Out of all musculoskeletal consultations, knee problems were the fourth most common patient presentation, responsible for the second highest number of consultations. Patient presentations and consultations increased up to age 12-15 years and then stabilised. Symptoms codes e.g. 'knee pain' were used more commonly than diagnosis codes e.g. 'knee sprain' overall. However, symptom code use declined as age increased, more symptom codes were used in girls compared to boys, and more diagnosis codes were used in patients from areas of high socio-economic deprivation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides insight into the epidemiology of knee problems in children and adolescents in general practice. Future research is needed to improve our understanding of the knee problems encountered by GPs, and the influence socio-economic deprivation has on consultations.

Pain, pain intensity and pain disability in high school students are differently associated with physical activity, screening hours and sleep

Background

Studies exploring the association between physical activity, screen time and sleep and pain usually focus on a limited number of painful body sites. Nevertheless, pain at different body sites is likely to be of different nature. Therefore, this study aims to explore and compare the association between time spent in self-reported physical activity, in screen based activities and sleeping and i) pain presence in the last 7-days for 9 different body sites; ii) pain intensity at 9 different body sites and iii) global disability.

Methods

Nine hundred sixty nine students completed a questionnaire on pain, time spent in moderate and vigorous physical activity, screen based time watching TV/DVD, playing, using mobile phones and computers and sleeping hours. Univariate and multivariate associations between pain presence, pain intensity and disability and physical activity, screen based time and sleeping hours were investigated.

Results

Pain presence: sleeping remained in the multivariable model for the neck, mid back, wrists, knees and ankles/feet (OR 1.17 to 2.11); moderate physical activity remained in the multivariate model for the neck, shoulders, wrists, hips and ankles/feet (OR 1.06 to 1.08); vigorous physical activity remained in the multivariate model for mid back, knees and ankles/feet (OR 1.05 to 1.09) and screen time remained in the multivariate model for the low back (OR = 2.34. Pain intensity: screen time and moderate physical activity remained in the multivariable model for pain intensity at the neck, mid back, low back, shoulder, knees and ankles/feet (Rp² 0.02 to 0.04) and at the wrists (Rp² = 0.04), respectively. Disability showed no association with sleeping, screen time or physical activity.

Conclusions

This study suggests both similarities and differences in the patterns of association between time spent in physical activity, sleeping and in screen based activities and pain presence at 8 different body sites. In addition, they also suggest that the factors associated with the presence of pain, pain intensity and pain associated disability are different.

Dose-response relationship between sports activity and musculoskeletal pain in adolescents

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.

A school-based cohort study showed that time spent in sports activity had a linear association with musculoskeletal pain prevalence and risk among Japanese adolescents.

Physical activity has multiple health benefits but may also increase the risk of developing musculoskeletal pain (MSP). However, the relationship between physical activity and MSP has not been well characterized. This study examined the dose–response relationship between sports activity and MSP among adolescents. Two school-based serial surveys were conducted 1 year apart in adolescents aged 12 to 18 years in Unnan, Japan. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by 2403 students. Associations between time spent in organized sports activity and MSP were analyzed cross-sectionally (n = 2403) and longitudinally (n = 374, students free of pain and in seventh or 10th grade at baseline) with repeated-measures Poisson regression and restricted cubic splines, with adjustment for potential confounders. The prevalence of overall pain, defined as having pain recently at least several times a week in at least one part of the body, was 27.4%. In the cross-sectional analysis, sports activity was significantly associated with pain prevalence. Each additional 1 h/wk of sports activity was associated with a 3% higher probability of having pain (prevalence ratio = 1.03, 95% confidence interval = 1.02-1.04). Similar trends were found across causes (traumatic and nontraumatic pain) and anatomic locations (upper limbs, lower back, and lower limbs). In longitudinal analysis, the risk ratio for developing pain at 1-year follow-up per 1 h/wk increase in baseline sports activity was 1.03 (95% confidence interval = 1.02-1.05). Spline models indicated a linear association (P < 0.001) but not a nonlinear association (P ≥ 0.45). The more the adolescents played sports, the more likely they were to have and develop pain.

Hypermobility and Musculoskeletal Pain in Adolescents

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) in a large cohort of Australian children and determine the associations between GJH and musculoskeletal pain.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a cross-sectional analysis of the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study. Hypermobility was measured in 1584 participants at 14 years of age using the Beighton scoring system, along with a range of other factors including musculoskeletal pain status. Logistic regression models were used to assess independent associations of GJH with factors of interest.

RESULTS

The prevalence of GJH was 60.6% and 36.7% in girls and boys, respectively, when defined as a Beighton score of ≥4; when defined as ≥6, it was 26.1% and 11.5%. In girls, positive associations between GJH and higher socioeconomic status and better motor competence were observed. In boys, positive associations between GJH and lower body mass index were observed. After adjusting for potential confounders, an association between number of pain areas in the last month and made worse with sport were identified in boys but not girls.

CONCLUSION

The high prevalence rates of GJH as defined by commonly used Beighton cutoff values in this cohort highlight the need to question the appropriateness of these cutoffs in future studies. Future prospective studies of the association between GJH and musculoskeletal pain should be adjusted for confounding variables identified in this study, and be powered for sex-specific analyses owing to the differing prevalence rates and hypermobility correlates in male and female samples.

Perceived stress and musculoskeletal pain are prevalent and significantly associated in adolescents: an epidemiological cross-sectional study

Background

Long-term musculoskeletal pain and negative stress are health risks with adverse long-term health effects, and these health risks seem to increase among young people. The mechanisms behind this are unclear. There is a need for a better understanding of perceived stress and musculoskeletal pain among adolescents, in order to improve health promotion and treatment approaches in this group.

Methods

Objectives were to evaluate the current prevalence of perceived stress and musculoskeletal pain in 15 and 16 year olds, to explore stress-pain associations and the probability that perceived stress (PSQ) was related to the reporting of pain and variations in pain, and to investigate possible differences in stress between different types of musculoskeletal pain in the adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Elementary schools participated. The outcomes were stress (Perceived stress questionnaire; PSQ) and musculoskeletal pain (pain/no pain, pain sites, pain duration and pain intensity (Visual analogue scale; VAS).

Results

Fifty-one point two percent (N = 422) reported pain, of which 70.8 % reported long-term pain. Some more girls (57.9 %) reported pain. 22.0 % of the study population reported moderate to severe stress (PSQ ≥ 0.45), of which 79.6 % were bothered by pain (Pearson Chi-square 38.47, p ≤ .001). All stress and pain variables were significantly associated (p < .01). The strongest association appeared between pain intensity (VAS) and stress (PSQ) (r = 0.40). Perceived stress (PSQ) was associated with the reporting of pain among the adolescents (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.68) and could explain some of the variation in pain intensity (VAS; β = 0.15, p < .001) and number of pain sites (β = 0.14, p < .01), according to the regression analyses. There were no mean differences in stress (PSQ) between different types of musculoskeletal pain.

Conclusions

There was high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, long-term pain and moderate to severe stress (PSQ ≥ 0.45) in this study sample. Perceived stress (PSQ) was related to the reporting of musculoskeletal pain among the adolescents and could explain some of the variation in pain intensity (VAS) and number of pain sites. There were no differences in stress levels (PSQ) between different types of musculoskeletal pain in the adolescents.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-015-2414-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Generalized joint hypermobility in childhood is a possible risk for the development of joint pain in adolescence: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

There is some evidence that indicates generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) is a risk factor for pain persistence and recurrence in adolescence. However, how early pain develops and whether GJH without pain in childhood is a risk factor for pain development in adolescence is undetermined. The aims for this study were to investigate the association between GJH and development of joint pain and to investigate the current GJH status and physical function in Danish adolescents.

METHODS

This was a longitudinal cohort study nested within the Copenhagen Hypermobility Cohort. All children (n = 301) were examined for the exposure, GJH, using the Beighton test at baseline at either 8 or 10 years of age and then re-examined when they reached 14 years of age. The children were categorized into two groups based on their number of positive Beighton tests using different cut points (i.e. GJH4 defined as either < 4 or ≥ 4, GJH5 and GJH6 were similarly defined). The outcome of joint pain was defined as arthralgia as measured by the Brighton criteria from the clinical examination. Other outcome measures of self-reported physical function and objective physical function were also collected.

RESULTS

Children with GJH had three times higher risk of developing joint pain in adolescence, although this association did not reach statistical significance (GJH5: 3.00, 95% [0.94-9.60]). At age 14, the adolescents with GJH had significantly lower self-reported physical function (for ADL: GJH4 p = 0.002, GJH5 p = 0.012; for pain during sitting: GJH4 p = 0.002, GJH5 p = 0.018) and had significantly higher body mass index (BMI: GJH5 p = 0.004, GJH6 p = 0.006) than adolescents without GJH. There was no difference in measured physical function.

CONCLUSION

This study has suggested a possible link between GJH and joint pain in the adolescent population. GJH was both a predictive and a contributing factor for future pain. Additional studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm our findings.

Adolescent obesity, joint pain, and hypermobility

BACKGROUND

Obesity associated with joint pain of the lower extremities is likely due to excessive mechanical load on weight bearing joints. Additional mechanical factors may explain the association between obesity and joint pain.

FINDINGS

We characterized the association between obesity and non-traumatic lower extremity (LE) joint pain in adolescents and examined the modifying effect of hypermobility on this association.We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data from subjects enrolled in a clinical trial examining the impact of weight loss on bone health in adolescents. Anthropometric data were collected and body mass index (BMI = kg/m2) was calculated. Subjects were categorized as obese or healthy weight controls based on CDC 2000 growth curves for age and gender. We assessed any musculoskeletal pain and LE pain by the PEDS™ Pediatric Pain Questionnaire™. Hypermobility was assessed with the modified Beighton scoring system. Multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for covariates were performed to examine the association between weight status and joint pain.Out of 142 subjects, 91 were obese and 51 were healthy weight. Obesity was not associated with any musculoskeletal pain (OR 0.86, CI 0.49-1.50), LE pain (OR 1.02, CI 0.49-2.15) or hypermobility (OR 1.23, CI 0.72-2.14, p = 0.3). There was no effect modification on the association between obesity and any musculoskeletal pain (OR 0.80, CI 0.45 -1.42) or LE pain (OR 0.98, CI 0.46 - 2.08) by hypermobility status.

CONCLUSIONS

We found no association between LE pain and obesity, and hypermobility did not modify this association.

Musculoskeletal complaints among 11-year-old children and associated factors: the PIAMA birth cohort study

Musculoskeletal complaints (MSC) are common among children, often persist into adolescence, and increase the risk of MSC in adulthood. Knowledge regarding determinants of MSC among children is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MSC at age 11 years and to examine associations with sociodemographic factors, growth and development factors, mental health, tiredness, and lifestyle. Data from a Netherlands birth cohort study, the Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) Study (n = 2,638), were used (1996-2009). MSC were defined as complaints about the back, an upper extremity, a lower extremity, or any of these sites. Logistic regression analyses using a forward stepwise procedure were performed on multiply imputed data. The 1-year period prevalences of back, upper extremity, and lower extremity complaints that lasted at least 1 month were 2.8%, 4.8%, and 10.9%, respectively. Only poorer mental health was consistently associated with all 3 types of complaints. Poorer mental health, daytime tiredness, early pubertal development, being physically active at age 11 years, and weight-for-height z score were associated with having any MSC. This study showed that MSC, especially lower extremity complaints, are common among 11-year old-children and that only poorer mental health status is associated with MSC at all anatomic sites.

A prospective investigation of biomechanical risk factors for patellofemoral pain syndrome: the Joint Undertaking to Monitor and Prevent ACL Injury (JUMP-ACL) cohort

BACKGROUND

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is one of the most common chronic knee injuries; however, little research has been done to determine the risk factors for this injury.

HYPOTHESIS

Altered lower extremity kinematics and kinetics, decreased strength, and altered postural measurements will be risk factors.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 2.

METHODS

A total of 1597 participants were enrolled in this investigation and prospectively followed from the date of their enrollment (July 2005, July 2006, or July 2007) through January 2008, a maximum of 2.5 years of follow-up. Each participant underwent baseline data collection during their pre-freshman summer at the United States Naval Academy. Baseline data collection included 3-dimensional motion analysis during a jump-landing task, 6 lower extremity isometric strength tests, and postural alignment measurements (navicular drop and Q angle).

RESULTS

Risk factors for the development of patellofemoral pain syndrome included decreased knee flexion angle, decreased vertical ground-reaction force, and increased hip internal rotation angle during the jump-landing task. Additionally, decreased quadriceps and hamstring strength, increased hip external rotator strength, and increased navicular drop were risk factors for the development of patellofemoral pain syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Multiple modifiable risk factors for patellofemoral pain syndrome pain have been identified in this investigation. To decrease the incidence of this chronic injury, the risk factors for patellofemoral pain syndrome need to be targeted in injury prevention programs.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Prevention programs should focus on increasing strength of the lower extremity musculature along with instructing proper mechanics during dynamic movements to decrease the incidence of patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Psychosocial, mechanical, and metabolic factors in adolescents' musculoskeletal pain in multiple locations: a cross-sectional study

Recent studies indicate that adolescents often experience musculoskeletal pains in two or more body locations. However, previous studies have mainly focused on localized pains, and the determinants of multiple musculoskeletal pains in adolescents are not well known. The present study was set to evaluate the role of psychosocial, mechanical, and metabolic factors in adolescents' musculoskeletal pains in multiple locations. The study population consisted of the 1986 Northern Finland Birth Cohort; 15- to 16-year-old adolescents (n=6986), who responded to a mailed questionnaire in 2001. We assessed the associations of emotional and behavioral problems, physical activity, sitting time, sleeping time, overweight and smoking with musculoskeletal pains using multinomial logistic regression. Multiple pains were common, 23% of boys and 40% of girls reported feeling pain in at least three locations over the past 6 months. These pains were not only associated with anxious/depressed symptoms, withdrawn/depressed symptoms, somatic complaints, rule-breaking and aggressive behavior, social problems, thought and attention problems, but also with high physical activity level, long sitting time, short sleeping time and smoking, among both boys and girls. In addition, pain in three to four locations associated with overweight in girls. A high number of psychosocial, mechanical and metabolic factors associated strongly with multiple pains. In conclusion, multiple musculoskeletal pains were strongly associated with psychosocial complaints, but also with mechanical and metabolic factors. Reported musculoskeletal pains in multiple locations in adolescence may have both peripheral (trauma, decreased regenerative ability) and central (sensitivity) causes.

The frequency, trajectories and predictors of adolescent recurrent pain: a population-based approach

Recurrent pains are a complex set of conditions that cause great discomfort and impairment in children and adults. The objectives of this study were to (a) describe the frequency of headache, stomachache, and backache in a representative Canadian adolescent sample and (b) determine whether a set of psychosocial factors, including background factors (i.e., sex, pubertal status, parent chronic pain), external events (i.e., injury, illness/hospitalization, stressful-life events), and emotional factors (i.e., anxiety/depression, self-esteem) were predictive of these types of recurrent pain. Statistics Canada's National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth was used to assess a cohort of 2488 10- to 11-year-old adolescents up to five times, every 2 years. Results showed that, across 12-19 years of age, weekly or more frequent rates ranged from 26.1%-31.8% for headache, 13.5-22.2% for stomachache, and 17.6-25.8% for backache. Chi-square tests indicated that girls had higher rates of pain than boys for all types of pain, at all time points. Structural equation modeling using latent growth curves showed that sex and anxiety/depression at age 10-11 years was predictive of the start- and end-point intercepts (i.e., trajectories that indicated high levels of pain across time) and/or slopes (i.e., trajectories of pain that increased over time) for all three types of pain. Although there were also other factors that predicted only certain pain types or certain trajectory types, overall the results of this study suggest that adolescent recurrent pain is very common and that psychosocial factors can predict trajectories of recurrent pain over time across adolescence.

Risk factors for development of non-specific musculoskeletal pain in preteens and early adolescents: a prospective 1-year follow-up study

BACKGROUND

Musculoskeletal pain symptoms are common in children and adolescents. These symptoms have a negative impact on children's physical and emotional well-being, but their underlying aetiology and risk factors are still poorly understood. Most of the previous cohort studies were conducted among mid and/or late adolescents and were mainly focused on a specific pain location (e.g. low back pain or neck pain). The purpose of this study is to estimate occurrence of new-onset pain symptoms, in all musculoskeletal locations, in preteens and early adolescents and investigate risk factors for development of these symptoms.

METHODS

1756 schoolchildren (mean age 10.8) were recruited from schools in southern Finland. Information was extracted as to whether they experienced musculoskeletal pain and a total of 1192 children were identified as free of musculoskeletal pain symptoms. Information was collected on factors which could potentially predict the development of musculoskeletal pain: headache, abdominal pain, sadness/feeling down, day-time tiredness, difficulty in falling asleep, waking up during nights, level of physical activity and hypermobility. These children were followed-up 1-year later and those with new episodes of non-traumatic and traumatic musculoskeletal pain symptoms were identified.

RESULTS

A total of 1113 schoolchildren (93% of baseline pain-free children) were found at one-year follow-up. New episodes of musculoskeletal pain were reported by 21.5% of these children. Of them 19.4% reported non-traumatic pain and 4.0% reported traumatic pain. The neck was the most commonly reported site with non-traumatic pain, while the lower limb was the most common site for traumatic pain. The independent risk factors for non-traumatic musculoskeletal pain were headache (OR = 1.68, [95% CI 1.16-2.44]) and day-time tiredness (OR = 1.53, [95% CI 1.03-2.26]). The risk factors for traumatic musculoskeletal pain were vigorous exercise (OR = 3.40 [95% CI 1.39-8.31]) and day-time tiredness (OR = 2.97 [95% CI 1.41-6.26]).

CONCLUSION

This study highlights that there may be two types of pain entities with both distinct and common aspects of aetiology. For primary prevention purposes, school healthcare professionals should pay attention to preteens and early adolescents practicing vigorous exercise (predictor of traumatic pain), reporting headache (predictor of non-traumatic pain) and reporting day-time tiredness (predictor of both types of pain).