A cross sectional study between the prevalence of chronic pain and academic pressure in adolescents in China (Shanghai)

The prevalence of chronic pain in children and adolescents: a systematic review update and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Chronic pain, defined as persistent or recurring pain or pain lasting longer than 3 months, is a common childhood problem. The objective of this study was to conduct an updated systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of chronic pain (ie, overall, headache, abdominal pain, back pain, musculoskeletal pain, multisite/general pain, and other) in children and adolescents. EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched for publications between January 1, 2009, and June 30, 2023. Studies reporting population-based estimates of chronic nondisease related pain prevalence in children or adolescents (age ≤ 19 years) were included. Two independent reviewers screened articles based on a priori protocol. One hundred nineteen studies with a total of 1,043,878 children (52.0% female, mean age 13.4 years [SD 2.4]) were included. Seventy different countries were represented, with the highest number of data points of prevalence estimates coming from Finland and Germany (n = 19 each, 4.3%). The overall prevalence of chronic pain in children and adolescents was 20.8%, with the highest prevalence for headache and musculoskeletal pain (25.7%). Overall, and for all types of pain except for back pain and musculoskeletal pain, there were significant differences in the prevalence between boys and girls, with girls having a higher prevalence of pain. There was high heterogeneity (I 2 99.9%). Overall risk of bias was low to moderate. In summary, approximately 1 in 5 children and adolescents experience chronic pain and prevalence varies by pain type; for most types, there is higher pain prevalence among girls than among boys. Findings echo and expand upon the systematic review conducted in 2011.

Adaption and validation of simplified Chinese version of the Low Back Pain Knowledge questionnaire (sC-LKQ)

Introduction

Low back pain (LBP) knowledge questionnaire (LKQ) was developed by a Brazilian research group in 2009. It has been cross-culturally adapted to many languages with good reliability and validity. This work aimed to translate and validate the LKQ into a simplified Chinese version and to evaluate the self-efficacy in LBP among Chinese participants from China and Hungary.

Methods

A total of 431 people participated in this research, which lasted from September 2021 to June 2022 and was conducted on the Credamo online platform. The simplified Chinese LKQ (sC-LKQ) was generated through translation and cross-cultural adaptation guidelines. The participants were selected to fill out demographic questions, the sC-LKQ, and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). The reliability and validity of the data were evaluated using SPSS 28.0.

Results

The sC-LKQ showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha was 0.79), and the intraclass correlation value was 0.85. There were five components in the questionnaire with good construct validity. The scores of RMDQ had negatively correlated with sC-LKQ.

Conclusion

In the Chinese population, the sC-LKQ demonstrated excellent psychometric qualities and could be used to evaluate self-efficacy in clinical practice and research.

School-related sedentary behaviours and indicators of health and well-being among children and youth: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the associations between school-related sedentary behaviours and indicators of health and well-being in children and youth (~ 5-18 years) attending school.

METHODS

This review was conducted to inform the development of School-Related Sedentary Behaviour Recommendations. Peer-reviewed, published, or in-press articles in English were included. Reviews, meta-analyses, and case studies were excluded; all other study designs were eligible. Further, articles had to meet the a priori study criteria for population, intervention, comparator (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021227600). Embase, MEDLINE® ALL, and PsycINFO were searched. Risk of bias was assessed for individual experimental studies using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool, and in observational studies based on the GRADE framework and in line with previous systematic reviews examining sedentary behaviours in children. Overall quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE framework for each outcome category and study design. Results were synthesized narratively, grouped by study design and outcome category. Further, several high-level summaries were conducted to help interpret results.

RESULTS

Evidence was synthesized from 116 reports, including 1,385,038 participants and 1173 extracted associations. More school-related sedentary behaviour was favourably associated with nearly one-third of extracted associations for cognitive (33%) and social-emotional (32%) indicators (e.g., less anxiety), but unfavourably associated with other movement behaviours (e.g., less physical activity) (35%). Active lessons were favourable (72%), compared to more school-related sedentary behaviours, when examining associations for all health and well-being indicators. More homework was favourable across all health and well-being indicators in 4% of extracted associations for primary school children, and 25% of extracted associations for secondary school children. However, ≥2 h/day of homework appeared to be unfavourable for health and well-being. Limitations for synthesized studies included generally low quality of evidence and a lack of studies in South American, African, or low-middle income countries.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings can help inform policy makers, schools, and teachers, regarding the amount of homework assigned and the introduction of active lessons into the classroom to enhance health and well-being of children. More research is needed examining school-related sedentary behaviours and indicators of health and well-being in low- and middle-income countries.

The Effects of the COVID-19 Confinement on Screen Time, Headaches, Stress and Sleep Disorders among Adolescents: A Cross Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Headache is a common symptom affecting children and adolescents. The medical literature over the last three decades reveals a variable prevalence and triggers in different countries, regions, circumstances and times. This study aims to assess the prevalence, frequency and quality of headaches in the Lebanese adolescent population under the COVID-19 confinement and study its triggers and relationship to screen time, self-reported anxiety, and sleep.

METHODS

A cross sectional design was used to collect two survey results by snowball distribution using social media targeting adolescents aged 15 to 17 years of age. The first survey included 13 questions with a single best answer about screen time, feeling anxious, sleep time, schedule and consistency, and headaches. The second survey included 3 questions about the quality of the headaches, anxiety and its triggers.

RESULTS

Among 433 responders to the first survey, the prevalence of headaches, especially pressure points and band-like pressure was higher than any previously reported among adolescents in the literature, reaching 93.4%. Screen time was also higher than any previous reports with 95.6% spending 9 hours or more on screen while 64% of adolescents spending at least 12 hours a day on screen. In addition, the majority (82%) don't have consistent sleep habits and 41.8% consider themselves anxious. School was considered the main source of stress by 82.8% of the responders. The frequency of headache correlated significantly with increased screen time, self-reported anxiety and inconsistent sleep habits.

CONCLUSIONS

Headaches among adolescents are associated with increased screen use, sleep disorders, and self-reported anxiety. It is one of the primary somatization symptoms in this group expressing their extreme stress under the current economic, political, and health crisis. The present trends are likely to have major long term implications on adolescents' health and academic achievements and should alarm educators and health officials to intervene in this situation.

Efficacy and safety of treating chronic nonspecific low back pain with radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT), rESWT combined with celecoxib and eperisone (C + E) or C + E alone: a prospective, randomized trial

BACKGROUND

To investigate whether respectively radial extracoporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) or a combination of rESWT, celecoxib and eperisone (rESWT + C + E) are superior in reducing pain in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (cnsLBP) compared to C + E alone (a standard treatment of this condition in China).

METHODS

140 patients with cnsLBP were randomly allocated to rESWT (n = 47), rESWT + C + E (n = 45) or C + E alone (n = 48) for four weeks between November 2017 and March 2019. Outcome was evaluated using the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire and Patient Health Questionnaire 9, collected at baseline as well as one week (W1), W2, W3, W4 and W12 after baseline.

RESULTS

All scores showed a statistically significant improvement over time. The PSEQ and NRS scores showed a significant Time × Treatment effect. Patients treated with rESWT had significantly lower mean NRS values than patients treated with rESWT + C + E at W1 and W3, as well as than patients treated with C + E alone at W3 and W4. No severe adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

rESWT may not be inferior to respectively rESWT + C + E or C + E alone in reducing pain in patients with cnsLBP.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I, prospective, randomized, active-controlled trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT03337607. Registered November 09, 2017, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03337607 .

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I; prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

Association between Psychological Stress and Neck Pain among College Students during the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 Pandemic: A Questionnaire-Based Cross-Sectional Study

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) greatly affected people’s lifestyles. We used an online, cross-sectional survey during a COVID-19-related lockdown in Israel, with the aim of investigating the effects of such lockdowns on students’ self-perceived stress and neck pain (NP). College students (N = 295) completed questions on sociodemographic characteristics, the Neck Disability Index (NDI), the Perceived Stress Scale, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and NP frequency (four-point scale). Logistic regression models were calculated with the NDI as the dependent variable. In total, 35.6% of students experienced at least moderate NP-related disability (NDI ≥ 15), more during than before the lockdown. NP increased gradually, from a lifetime mean of 1.80 to a lockdown mean of 3.07 (χ² = 316.72; p < 0.001). Students’ self-perceived stress was moderate, and 59.3% reported experiencing study-related stress. Higher levels of self-perceived stress, study-related stress, sitting >3 h/day, and a higher VAS score were associated with a higher risk of an NDI ≥ 15 (Nagelkerke’s R² = 0.513, p < 0.001). The transition from on-campus to online learning seems to have exacerbated students’ NP, which was correlated to their study stress and lifestyles. These findings advocate for the need to promote the physical and mental health of students via e.g., mental health services and occupational and ergonomic consulting services.

Prevalence of Self-Reported Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome and Associated Risk Factors among School Students in China during the COVID-19 Pandemic

PURPOSE

To determine the prevalence and risk factors of self-reported symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) in school students during COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study in Nanjing, China, students (grades 1-12) from six randomly selected schools self-administered the online survey questionnaire about hours on electronic devices, outdoor activities, frequency and intensity of 17 CVS symptoms during virtual learning period of COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS

Among 2363 invited students, 2005 (84.8%) completed the survey. Mean (SD) age was 12 (3.0) years, 51% were male, 53% wore glasses, 56% did not know the 20-20-20 rule (take a 20 second break every 20 min of close work and gaze at objects at least 20 feet away) and 6.5% knew but never followed the 20-20-20 rule. Mean (SD) hours/day was 4.6 (3.4) for screen time and 1.2 (1.0) for outdoor activities. Total of 1543 (77.0%) students reported at least one CVS symptom (median = 4) with eye dryness and itching the most common (48%). In multivariable analysis, CVS score 4 or more was independently associated with older age (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.05 for per-year increase, p = 0.02), children with myopia not wearing glasses (aOR = 2.12, p = 0.0003), astigmatism (aOR = 1.37, p = 0.04), other ocular diseases (aOR = 1.59, p = 0.005), not complying 20-20-20 rule (aOR = 2.13, p = 0.04), more screen time (aOR = 1.53 for >6 vs. ≤2 hours, p = 0.0001) and less outdoor activities (aOR = 1.37 for ≤0.6 vs. ≥1.9 hours, p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

During COVID-19 pandemic, self-reported CVS symptoms occurred in more than three-quarters of students. Besides pre-existing ocular diseases, children with myopia not wearing glasses, excessive time on screens, non-compliance of the 20-20-20 rule and reduced outdoor activities were associated with higher risk of CVS.

Epidemiology of Headache in Children and Adolescents-Another Type of Pandemia

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Headaches are not only responsible for restrictions in everyday life in adults. In children and adolescents, regular headaches lead also to reduced life quality and limitations in the social sphere, in school education, and in professional careers. Here, we provide an overview on the frequency of headache in children and adolescents with the aim of increasing awareness about this particular health issue.

RECENT FINDINGS

Overall, headache prevalence in children and adolescents has been increasing in recent years. From various regions worldwide, data describing headache, its forms, and consequences are growing. In addition, factors frequently correlated with headache are repeatedly investigated and named: besides genetic factors, psychosocial and behavioral factors are linked to the prevalence of headache. Increasing evidence indicates that headache is underestimated as a common disorder in children and adolescents. Accordingly, too little emphasis is placed by society on its prevention and treatment. Thus, the extent of the social and health economic burden of frequent headaches in children and adolescents needs to be better illustrated, worldwide. Furthermore, the data collected in this review should support the efforts to improve outpatient therapy paths for young headache patients. Factors correlating with headache in pupils can draw our attention to unmet needs of these patients and allow physicians to derive important therapy contents from this data.

The role of pain, disability and perceived social support in psychological and academic functioning of university students with pain: an observational study

OBJECTIVES

University students with pain face unique physical, psychological, social and academic challenges, but research on this is limited. The main aim of this study was to examine how pain, disability and perceived social support relate to psychological and academic outcomes in students with pain. It also compared students with pain and students without pain on measures of depression, anxiety and perceived social support.

METHODS

Three hundred and eleven students enrolled in Chinese universities took part in the study, 198 with pain (102 reported acute pain and 96 chronic pain) and 113 without pain. They completed measures of perceived social support, depression, anxiety, pain (intensity, frequency, duration), disability and pain interference with academic functioning.

RESULTS

Students with chronic pain reported higher levels of anxiety and depression and lower levels of perceived social support than students without pain. There were no significant differences between students with acute and chronic pain, and between students with acute pain and those without pain. In the pain sample (containing both acute and chronic pain group), greater interference with academic functioning was predicted by higher levels of pain and disability, and disability also predicted higher levels of depression. After controlling for effects of pain and disability, lower levels of perceived social support predicted higher levels of both anxiety and depression.

CONCLUSIONS

These results highlight the role of pain and disability in academic functioning and the role of perceived social support in psychological functioning of students with pain.

Baseline musculoskeletal pain and impaired sleep related to school pressure influence the development of musculoskeletal pain in N = 107 adolescents in a 5-year longitudinal study

PURPOSE

This longitudinal study followed 10- to 13-year-old adolescents for 5 years to investigate the effects of juvenile musculoskeletal (MSK) pain and psychosocial risk factors on future pain. We further predicted that increased MSK pain at follow-up would be positively related to current school pressure at follow-up and negatively related to current sleep quality. Sleep quality was tested as a potential mediator of the link between school pressure and MSK pain at follow-up after controlling for baseline MSK pain.

METHODS

The baseline sample comprised 189 adolescents, and 5-year follow-up resulted in 107 15- to 18-year-old adolescents who had completed mandatory education. Adolescents responded to an online questionnaire about psychosocial stressors, MSK pain, school achievement and leisure activities. A longitudinal hierarchic linear regression including all significant baseline predictors was run to assess their impact on MSK pain 5 years later. Mediation analysis was used to investigate sleep quality as a potential mediator of the relationship between school pressure and MSK pain at follow-up.

RESULTS

Baseline MSK pain predicted MSK pain over a time lag of 5 years (ß = .26, p = .02). The relationship between follow-up school pressure and current MSK pain was mediated by sleep quality at follow-up (B = .17, SE_B = .07, 95% CI .06-.34) when baseline MSK pain was controlled.

CONCLUSIONS

Juvenile MSK pain predicts MSK pain in adolescence. A psychosocial mediation model including school pressure and sleep impairments has the potential to explain MSK pain mechanisms in adolescents. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Effects of Self-Esteem on the Association between Negative Life Events and Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents

Negative life events (NLEs) increase the risk of suicidal ideation (SI) in adolescents. However, it is not known whether the association between NLEs and SI can be moderated by self-esteem and varies with gender. The aim of the current paper was to examine gender differences in the association of SI with NLEs in adolescents, and assess the effects of self-esteem on the association and their gender variations. We conducted a school-based health survey in 15 schools in China between November 2013 and January 2014. A total of 9704 participants aged 11–19 years had sociodemographic data reported and self-esteem (Rosenberg self-esteem scale), NLEs, and SI measured. Multivariate-adjusted logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) of having SI in relation to NLEs. Increased risk of SI was significantly associated with NLEs (adjusted OR 2.19, 95%CI 1.94–2.47), showing no gender differences (in females 2.38, 2.02–2.80, in males 1.96, 1.64–2.36, respectively). The association was stronger in adolescents with high esteem (2.93, 2.34–3.68) than those with low esteem (2.00, 1.65–2.42) (ORs ratio 1.47, p = 0.012). The matched figures in females were 3.66 (2.69–4.99) and 2.08 (1.61–2.70) (1.76, p = 0.006), while in males these figures were 2.27(1.62–3.19) and 1.89 (1.41–2.53) (1.20, p = 0.422), respectively. Self-esteem had moderate effects on the association between NLEs and SI in adolescents, mainly in females. NLEs, self-esteem, and gender need to be incorporated into future intervention programs to prevent SI in adolescents.

The relationship between the psychological stress of adolescents in school and the prevalence of chronic low back pain: a cross-sectional study in China

BACKGROUND

Accumulating evidence supports an association between an unhealthy mental state and low back pain (LBP). However, the degree of the association between mental health and chronic low back pain (CLBP) in the general population is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to analyze the incidence of CLBP in Chinese college students and to examine the association between students' unhealthy mental states and the prevalence of CLBP.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 10,000 questionnaires were distributed in the second semester of the 2017-2018 academic year by the School of Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University. Eligible participants were students aged ≥ 18 years from randomly selected Chinese colleges. Participants completed a questionnaire survey that included items from the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and items on demographic factors, LBP prevalence, quality of life at their university, study-related stress and interpersonal relationships. The evaluation of students' mental states in the survey was divided into two major parts: direct and indirect indicators. A multivariate logistic regression model was mainly used to explore the relationship between CLBP and the students' mental health.

RESULTS

There was a high incidence of CLBP in the college students. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the risk of CLBP increased with increasing scores on the SCL-90, and a clinically unhealthy mental state (scores greater than 3) was significantly associated with CLBP (adjusted odds ratios for depression, anxiety, coercion, paranoia, and interpersonal sensitivity were 7.209, 6.593, 3.959, 4.465, and 4.283, respectively; p < 0.001). Participants who had poor living habits or uncomfortable campus lives and those who experienced heavy academic pressure also showed a higher positive association with CLBP compared with the full sample.

CONCLUSIONS

Unhealthy psychological conditions, which may be attributed to unsatisfying school lives, excessive learning pressure, and uncomfortable interpersonal relationships, represent a risk factor for CLBP in college students.

Associations of adverse childhood experiences and social support with self-injurious behaviour and suicidality in adolescents

BACKGROUND

There is little investigation on the interaction effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and social support on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in community adolescent populations, or gender differences in these effects.AimsTo examine the individual and interaction effects of ACEs and social support on NSSI, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in adolescents, and explore gender differences.

METHOD

A school-based health survey was conducted in three provinces in China between 2013-2014. A total of 14 820 students aged 10-20 years completed standard questionnaires, to record details of ACEs, social support, NSSI, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt.

RESULTS

Of included participants, 89.4% reported one or more category of ACEs. The 12-month prevalence of NSSI, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt was 26.1%, 17.5% and 4.4%, respectively; all were significantly associated with increased ACEs and lower social support. The multiple adjusted odds ratio of NSSI in low versus high social support was 2.27 (95% CI 1.85-2.67) for girls and 1.81 (95% CI 1.53-2.14) for boys, and their ratio (Ratio of two odds ratios, ROR) was 1.25 (P = 0.037). Girls with high ACEs scores (5-6) and moderate or low social support also had a higher risk of suicide attempt than boys (RORs: 2.34, 1.84 and 2.02, respectively; all P &lt; 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

ACEs and low social support are associated with increased risk of NSSI and suicidality in Chinese adolescents. Strategies to improve social support, particularly among female adolescents with a high number of ACEs, should be an integral component of targeted mental health interventions.Declaration of interestNone.

Pain Clinic in Tibet, China: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Pain disease is a worldwide problem.The prevalence of chronic pain in developed and developing countries has been reported in some published research. However, little knowledge of situation of pain clinic in Tibet is known. Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital established the first pain clinic in Tibet. This study collected and analyzed the data of medical records of pain clinic in Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital from September 2017 to August 2018. The results showed that the total amounts of patients visiting pain clinic were very small, the most common pain diseases were postherpetic neuralgia and sciatica, and more female patients visited the pain clinic than male patients. All these results indicate that the hospital and government need to pay more attention to the development and promotion of pain medicine in Tibet to make Tibetans being accessed to high-quality pain clinic service.

Prevalence of self-reported computer vision syndrome symptoms and its associated factors among university students

Purpose:

To determine the prevalence of symptoms of computer vision syndrome and to identify its associated factors. The secondary objective was to assess knowledge and practices related to preventing computer vision syndrome symptoms.

Methods:

The data for this cross-sectional study were collected through a self-administered questionnaire distributed to 713 female undergraduates studying business and medicine in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire included computer vision syndrome validated symptoms and factors associated with computer vision syndrome development.

Results:

The most common symptom due to prolonged computer use was neck or shoulder pain, reported by 82.2% of the subjects. Overall, 66.5% of the subjects suffered from headache and 51.5% from dry eyes, in mild, moderate, or severe form. Business students were 1.6 times as likely as medical students to suffer from computer vision syndrome (odds ratio = 1.65; 95% confidence interval: 1.22, 2.24). The use of electronic devices for more than 5 h (odds ratio = 1.52; 95% confidence interval: 1.07, 2.16) was also associated with experiencing computer vision syndrome symptoms. Regarding computer vision syndrome prevention, factors such as hours of use, screen distance, screen brightness, and room illumination showed statistically significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

The prevalence of computer vision syndrome symptoms was significantly higher among business students, who reported lower awareness and poor practice measures of computer use recommendations. Relevant awareness campaigns focusing on the appropriate use of computers are highly recommended.

Evidence for Dry Needling in the Management of Myofascial Trigger Points Associated With Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the current evidence of the effectiveness of dry needling of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) associated with low back pain (LBP).

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Ovid, EBSCO, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched until January 2017.

STUDY SELECTION

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that used dry needling as the main treatment and included participants diagnosed with LBP with the presence of MTrPs were included.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two reviewers independently screened articles, scored methodologic quality, and extracted data. The primary outcomes were pain intensity and functional disability at postintervention and follow-up.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A total of 11 RCTs involving 802 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Results suggested that compared with other treatments, dry needling of MTrPs was more effective in alleviating the intensity of LBP (standardized mean difference [SMD], -1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.77 to -0.36; P=.003) and functional disability (SMD, -0.76; 95% CI, -1.46 to -0.06; P=.03); however, the significant effects of dry needling plus other treatments on pain intensity could be superior to dry needling alone for LBP at postintervention (SMD, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.55-1.11; P<.00001).

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate evidence showed that dry needling of MTrPs, especially if associated with other therapies, could be recommended to relieve the intensity of LBP at postintervention; however, the clinical superiority of dry needling in improving functional disability and its follow-up effects still remains unclear.

Validations and psychological properties of a simplified Chinese version of pain anxiety symptoms scale (SC-PASS)

The Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale (PASS) has been developed to evaluate pain anxiety, which leads to avoidance of daily activities and normal movements. However, a simplified Chinese version of PASS is still not available. Physicians are not aware of which patients are prone to anxiety, and what the risk factors are.To cross-culturally adapt the PASS into a simplified Chinese version and test the reliability and validity. Factors affecting pain anxiety were also explored.The PASS was first translated into a simplified Chinese version according to a forward-backward method. Then, validations were tested including content validity, construct validity, and reliability. Content validity was analyzed by response trend. Construct validity was analyzed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), exploratory factor analysis, and priori hypotheses testing. Reliability was analyzed by internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Risk factors of catastrophizing were analyzed by performing multivariate liner regression.A total of 219 patients were included in the study. The scores of items were well distributed. Both CFA and exploratory factor analysis suggested a 2nd-order, 4-factor model, accounting for 65.42% of the total variance according to principle component analysis. SC-PASS obtained good reliability with a Cronbach α = 0.92 and ICC = 0.90. College education, long pain duration, and both married and divorced status were risk factors. Factors reduced pain-related anxiety were no medication assumption, female sex, widowed status, non-Han ethnicity, and having no religious belief.The SC-PASS was applicable in Chinese patients and it was suitable for the clinical uses in mainland China.

A Multi-centered Cross-sectional Study of Disease Burden of Pain of Inpatients in Southwest China

Background:

Pain is a common burden of disease globally; yet, it is not systematically investigated in China, especially in hospitalized patients. This study was aimed at clarifying the epidemiological characteristics of pain and related factors in hospitalized patients in Southwest China.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence, severity, and influencing factors of pain and modes of postoperative analgesia in hospitalized patients from 17 hospitals in Southwest China. A prevalidated questionnaire was employed to calibrate all of these items within 3 days from March 18, 2015 to March 20, 2015.

Results:

A total of 2293 patients were surveyed, the incidence of pain was 57.4% in all hospitalized patients at rest, of which 62.1% were with acute pain and 37.9% had persistent to chronic pain. Among surgical patients, 90.8% of them complained of acute postoperative pain at rest and 97.1% in motion. The incidence of acute postoperative moderate-to-severe pain was 28.8% at rest and 45.1% in motion. Surgical patients reported higher incidences of pain, especially acute and persistent pain compared with nonsurgical patients (P < 0.05). Postoperative pain occurred predominately at surgical sites (95.2%) as compared with nonsurgical sites (4.8%). Agedness, lower education level, surgery, and history of smoking were factors associated with increased duration and severity of postoperative pain and nonsurgical pain (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Pain is a common burden of disease in China, of which surgical pain constituted an important component. Surgical patients complained more severe pain than those who did not undergo surgery. Postoperative analgesia still needs to be improved to control pain after surgery. Patients' perception might influence the efficacy of pain management, which should be implemented with a multidisciplinary approach.