Relationship between Pain Intensity and Frequency with Psychosocial Risk Factors

1. Relationship between Pain Intensity and Frequency with Psychosocial Risk Factors Katherine Simon1, Keri R. Hainsworth2, Renee J. Ladwig3, Kristen E. Jastrowski Mano2, Kimberly Anderson Khan2, W. Hobart Davies1,3, and Steven J. Weisman2,3 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee1, Medical College of Wisconsin2, & Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin3 Measures Introduction Table II: Correlations It is estimated that one in five U.S. children are affected by chronic pain (Zeltzer & Schlank, 2005). Youth with chronic pain often have decreased social functioning, increased school absenteeism, and decreased quality of life (Eccleston, Wastell, Crombez, & Jordan, 2008). Research in adults has noted that daily stress is associated with headache severity (Cathcart & Pritchard, 2008); however, less is known about the relationship between daily stressors and pain in pediatric populations. • Demographic and Medical Information, including age, gender, ethnicity, diagnosis, and pain intensity (worst, usual, best) and frequency, are collected upon arrival at the comprehensive pain center. The doctor or nurse asked the primary caregiver and the youth for this information. • Clinician Interviews were conducted during the initial visit with the family. The interviews include information regarding mental health history, current mental health symptoms, and coping attempts, among other factors. The number of risk factors were totaled and cumulative risk factors were used in subsequent analyses. *p < . 10. **p < .05. ***p < .01. • To Note: Best Pain was significantly correlated with Worst Pain (r = .14, p = .018) and Usual Pain (r = .30, p = .000). Worst and Usual pain were also significant related (r = .35, p = .000). Hypothesis Results • The current study aimed to explore the association between pain (intensity and frequency) and common psychosocial risk factors reported by youth seen in a multidisciplinary pain clinic. • Hypothesis: Youth with fewer psychosocial risk factors will report lower pain intensity and frequency. • Pearson Correlations were used to explore the relationship between pain intensity, frequency and psychosocial risk factors. • Independent t-tests were conducted to further describe the relationship between pain intensity and frequency with psychosocial risk factors • See Table I for psychosocial risk factors, Table II for correlations, and Table III for t-tests. Table III: T-tests Methods Descriptive Statistics • This study involved patients presenting to a multidisciplinary pain clinic at a large Midwestern children’s hospital. • At intake, mothers, fathers, and youth completed a packet of questionnaires that assess clinical, behavioral, and psychosocial variables related to pain. • Based on an interview with the family, clinician’s also rate the occurrence of 23 psychosocial risk factors. • The current study includes youth 4 - 19 years old with chronic pain (e.g., headache, gastrointestinal pain, musculoskeletal pain). Table I: Top 10 Psychosocial Risk Factors Participant Demographics *p < . 10. **p < .05. ***p < .01. Conclusions • The data highlight the importance of assessing potential risk factors in the treatment of chronic pain in youth, especially family and school factors. • These results suggest that there is a relationship between pain ratings and identified school (i.e. transition, academic problems) and family stressors (i.e. divorce, abuse, financial issues), which may indicate that youth identifying these stressors warrant more specific interventions directed at those problematic areas based on the fact that school and family are important components of development. • Future research should focus on determining if these psychosocial risk factors impact treatment strategies or the need for additional services.