Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 22, 2026
Author Spotlight: Quantifying Pain Experience – An Illustrative Approach Using the Pain Body Diagram
Published on: July 7, 2023
Pain Measurement in Children with Functional Abdominal Pain
John V Lavigne1,2,3,4, Miguel Saps5,6
1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, 60611, IL, USA.
Insights
Pediatric functional abdominal pain (FAP) relies on subjective pain reports, which present challenges. Current methods for measuring children's pain intensity and improvement lack reliability, impacting research and clinical care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric gastroenterology
- Pain medicine
- Clinical trial methodology
Background:
- Functional abdominal pain (FAP) is a common condition in children.
- Biomarkers for FAP are currently lacking, necessitating reliance on subjective pain reports.
- Existing methods for assessing pediatric pain intensity face significant challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the challenges in measuring self-reported pediatric pain intensity in FAP.
- To highlight the limitations of current outcome measurement approaches in pediatric pain research.
Main Methods:
- Review and discussion of existing literature on pediatric pain assessment.
- Analysis of challenges related to inter-rater agreement in pain intensity reporting.
- Evaluation of outcome measurement strategies and their reliability.
Main Results:
- Inter-rater agreement for children's pain intensity is generally low.
- Commonly used outcome measurement approaches may result in unreliable reports of improvement.
- The subjective nature of pain reporting poses a significant hurdle in FAP research.
Conclusions:
- Current methods for assessing pediatric functional abdominal pain intensity require critical re-evaluation.
- Improved, reliable outcome measures are needed for pediatric FAP research and clinical practice.
- Addressing the challenges in pain reporting is crucial for advancing FAP management.
Abstract:
Functional abdominal pain (FAP) occurs frequently in pediatric patients. Lacking clear biomarkers, clinicians and researchers must rely on patient reports of pain intensity. Presently, there are challenges affecting our ability to use existing measures of self-reported pediatric pain intensity. This report discusses those challenges, finding that: (a) inter-rater agreement of children's pain intensity is generally low; (b) typically used approaches to measuring outcomes may yield high levels of unreliable reports of improvement;
Related Concept Videos
01:23Assessment of the Abdomen III: Palpation
01:18Assessment of the Abdomen II: Percussion
Percussion
Percussion is an essential...
01:22Appendicitis-I: Introduction
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...
01:28Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Few clinical manifestations differentiate gastric ulcers from duodenal ulcers. Distinctions in the location, timing, and pain relief are crucial for healthcare providers in differentiating between gastric and duodenal ulcers during clinical assessments.
01:25Assessment of the Abdomen I: Inspection and Auscultation
The abdominal examination is a cornerstone of clinical medicine, serving as a critical tool in diagnosing various gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. It involves a systematic approach that includes inspection and auscultation, each with distinct yet complementary roles in assessing the abdomen. This article will delve into these two primary methods healthcare professionals use to examine the abdomen.
Inspection of the Abdomen
The first step in any abdominal examination is inspection....
01:25Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...