Studying Chronic Pain in Children and Adolescents: Why is it Important?

Background: Chronic pain not associated with a disease is very common in childhood and adolescence, with prevalence rates between 5-27%, and is considered to constitute a considerable health problem.

Aim: The current update of literature aims at showing why studying chronic pain and related issues in children, adolescents and their families is important.

Methods: Mostly recent (2010-2015) studies of youth chronic pain were included in this update.

Results: This update gives the main findings of mostly recent studies which contribute to our knowledge on chronic pain and its impact on child quality of life, association with child mental health, persistence and consequences in adulthood, family/parental influences and attitudes, and association with parental somatic symptoms.

Conclusion: In studying chronic pain, a holistic approach in the assessment and management, based on the biopsychosocial model, should be considered. More studies in the field are needed, especially in preschoolers from the community, with large numbers of children and adolescents, and a follow-up design.