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Nation-wide decrease in the prevalence of pediatric chronic pain during the COVID-19 pandemic

Boluwatife Aluko1, Adrianne N Mitchell1, Dmitry Tumin2

  • 1Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, USA.

Scandinavian Journal of Pain
|November 30, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The prevalence of chronic pain in US children decreased during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study found an 11% to 8% decline, challenging earlier predictions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic was anticipated to worsen chronic pain in children.
  • Existing research predicted an increase in chronic pain prevalence and severity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the prevalence of chronic pain in US children before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • To investigate the impact of the pandemic on pediatric chronic pain.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the 2019 and 2020 National Survey of Children's Health.
  • Compared caregiver-reported chronic pain prevalence using bivariate and multivariable analyses.
  • Adjusted for demographic and socioeconomic factors in the analysis.

Main Results:

  • Chronic pain prevalence among US children decreased from 11% in 2019 to 8% in 2020.
  • Multivariable analysis revealed a 33% decline in the odds of chronic pain in 2020 (95% CI: 23%-42%, p<0.001).
  • The findings were consistent after adjusting for child and caregiver characteristics.

Conclusions:

  • The study identified an unexpected nationwide decrease in pediatric chronic pain during the pandemic's first year.
  • These results contrast with initial predictions of increased chronic pain due to the pandemic.
  • Further research is needed to understand the factors contributing to this decline.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19chronic painpediatricssurvey

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