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Multidimensional assessment of pain in pediatric sickle cell disease
S E Graumlich1, S W Powers, K C Byars
1Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Ohio 45229-3039, USA.
Insights
Assessing pain in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) using multiple methods shows it is severe in homes and hospitals. Including children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Pain Medicine
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder causing severe pain episodes.
- Pain management in pediatric SCD requires comprehensive assessment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform a multidimensional pain assessment in children with SCD.
- To evaluate parent and child pain reports, pain characteristics, and associated factors.
Main Methods:
- Replication of prior SCD pain research with advanced methodology.
- Application of rigorous research design to pediatric SCD patients and caregivers.
Main Results:
- Multidimensional pain assessment using parent and child reports is effective for SCD.
- Children with SCD experience intense and severe pain in both home and hospital settings.
Conclusions:
- Child self-reports are valuable for clinical SCD pain assessment.
- Integrating home-based pain management strategies can enhance health outcomes.
- Future research should focus on biobehavioral treatments for pediatric SCD pain.
Objective:
To conduct a multidimensional assessment of pain in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Variables included parent and child reports of pain location and intensity, qualitative descriptors of pain, perceptions regarding the seriousness and severity of SCD, and environmental and emotional factors associated with pain.
Methods:
We replicated previous SCD pain research and applied advanced assessment methodology and research design to a population of pediatric SCD patients and their caregivers.
Results:
Convergence of data supports the utility of multidimensional pain assessment with parents and children with SCD. SCD pain is experienced as intense and severe in home and hospital environments.
Conclusions:
Findings support including children as reporters in clinical assessment of SCD pain. Integration of assessment strategies into home-based pain management may improve health outcomes. Future research should target biobehavioral treatment for pediatric SCD pain.