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Leg pains in CHD: a distressing symptom of a wider problem

Suzie Hutchinson1, David S Crossland2, Bill Chaudhry3

  • 11Little Hearts Matter, Edgbaston,Birmingham,UK.

Cardiology in the Young
|July 25, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Children and young adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) frequently experience leg pains, significantly more than their healthy siblings. The cause is unknown, but the pain resembles "growing pains".

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Cardiology
  • Pain Management

Background:

  • Anecdotal evidence suggests frequent leg pain in pediatric and young adult patients with congenital heart disease (CHD).
  • Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of leg pain in this population is crucial for improving quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the burden of leg pains in children and young adults with CHD.
  • To investigate potential associated factors and consequences of leg pain on daily living.

Main Methods:

  • An internet-based survey was distributed by the Little Hearts Matter patient organization.
  • Responses from 220 patients with CHD were analyzed and compared with those of 107 healthy siblings.

Main Results:

  • 94% of patients with CHD reported leg pains, compared to 30% of siblings (p<0.001).
  • Pain often occurred in lower legs, knees, or ankles, particularly at night (82.0%), and was associated with crying/screaming (49.0%).
  • Aspirin use, increased activity, and older age were linked to higher pain prevalence and specific pain characteristics.

Conclusions:

  • Leg pains are significantly more common in individuals with CHD than in their healthy siblings.
  • The etiology of these pains remains uncertain, though they share characteristics with benign "growing pains".

Keywords:
CHDleg painspatient-reported outcomes

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