Journal of Pediatric Nursing
Volume 24, Issue 2 , Pages 141-150, April 2009

Pediatric Chronic Pain and Health-Related Quality of Life

Department of Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine, Pediatric Pain Management Clinic, Comfort Pain Management and Palliative Care Program, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

Department of Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

USC/UCEDD Mental Health Services and Cardiothoracic Transplant Programs, Pediatric Psychology Program Area Lead, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

Children's Medical Center Dallas, Southwestern Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

School Transition and Re-entry (STAR) Program, Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

Comprehensive Pain Services, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH

The aim of this study was to investigate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of children and adolescents with chronic pain. Sixty-nine participants (53 girls and 16 boys, 8–18 years old) were recruited, along with their caregivers, from an outpatient pain management clinic. Participants completed questionnaires regarding the child's pain intensity and HRQOL (physical, emotional, social, and school functioning). Findings indicated that children with chronic pain report significantly lower HRQOL scores compared to population-based normative data and data of children with other chronic illnesses. Lower levels of pain were associated with higher HRQOL scores. In addition to targeting pain management, interventions focused on emotional health are necessary to enhance health outcomes for children with chronic pain.

Key words: Pediatrics, Chronic pain, Health-related quality of life

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PII: S0882-5963(08)00270-4

doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2008.07.003

Journal of Pediatric Nursing
Volume 24, Issue 2 , Pages 141-150, April 2009

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