Abstract
BackgroundMusculoskeletal pain in youth is common but little is known about the influence of the number of pain sites on pain characteristics. The objective of this study was to compare pain characteristics, quality of life, sleep, sport participation between adolescents without pain, those with single site pain, and those with multi-site pain and investigate the relationship between pain duration and number of pain sites.MethodsAn online survey was sent via email to 7177 possible middle- and high-school students. The students completed a survey containing questions about their pain (including location, duration, intensity, frequency), health-related quality of life, sleep quantity and quality, and sports participation. Quantitative variables were analysed with one-way ANOVAs or t-tests and qualitative variables were analysed with Pearson Chi-squared tests. Relationships were investigated with a Pearson Correlation.ResultsOf the respondents (n = 1021), 52.9% reported no pain, 17.2% reported pain in a single-site, and 29.9% reported pain in multiple sites. Those with multi-site pain reported significantly lower quality of life than both pain-free youth (p < 0.001) and those with single-site pain (p < 0.001); those with single-site pain had lower quality of life than pain-free youth (p < 0.001). Those with pain reported worse sleep than those without pain (P < 0.05). No differences in sport participation were found (p > 0.10). Those with multi-site pain reported greater intensity (p = 0.005) and duration (p < 0.001) than those with single-site pain. A positive, moderate, and significant correlation (r = 0.437, p < 0.001) was found between the pain duration and number of pain sites.ConclusionsA large percentage of youth experience regular pain that affects their self-reported quality of life and sleep, with greater effects in those with multi-site pain.
Highlights
Musculoskeletal pain in youth is common but little is known about the influence of the number of pain sites on pain characteristics
The estimates vary between studies and populations, sports active adolescents appear to have the highest prevalence of pain complaints [2]
This paper aims to 1) compare pain characteristics, quality of life, sleep, sport participation between adolescents without pain, those with single site pain, and those with multi-site pain and 2) investigate the relationship between pain duration and number of pain sites
Summary
Musculoskeletal pain in youth is common but little is known about the influence of the number of pain sites on pain characteristics. The objective of this study was to compare pain characteristics, quality of life, sleep, sport participation between adolescents without pain, those with single site pain, and those with multi-site pain and investigate the relationship between pain duration and number of pain sites. Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is a common complaint in adolescents. The estimates vary between studies and populations, sports active adolescents appear to have the highest prevalence of pain complaints [2]. Multi-site pain is common, with one in three of all adolescents (12–19 years) reporting pain in more than one location [11]. The number of pain sites, may be of particular importance to investigate, as pain in multiple locations may indicate a progression of long-standing pain [17] and be indicative of a poorer prognosis [18]
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