Impact of Musculoskeletal Pain on Functioning and Disability in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in Iceland

Abstract

Aims

1) to map questions of pain from a survey to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) 2) to compare the impact of musculoskeletal pain on functioning based on the different components of the ICF in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and age-matched peers.

Method

A cross-sectional case-control survey. A total of 28 children with JIA and 36 age-matched children participated. The survey included questions on the child’s sex and age, about pain experienced, number of painful body areas, pain frequency and three short forms of Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) pain questionnaires. Sixteen children with JIA (57%) and 10 peers (28%) reported pain during past seven days. Their responses were used in the description of impact of pain.

Results

After the mapping of the questions to ICF, a comparison between the two groups indicated that a higher number of children with JIA described effects of pain on mental function, mobility, general tasks and demands, than their peers. More children with JIA expressed to others that they had pain, non-verbally and verbally.

Conclusion

The findings provide important information about the impacts of pain on daily life in children with JIA and about their intervention needs.

Keywords:

• [MeSH] Children
• disability and health
• international classification of functioning
• juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
• pain
• patient-reported outcome measures

Acknowledgements

The authors express their gratitude to all the children and their families who participated in the study.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Grant from: Landspitali—National University Hospital Research Fund.

Notes on contributors

Bjorg Gudjonsdottir

Bjorg Gudjonsdottir is a specialist in pedatric physical therapy and a assistant professor at the Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland.

Svanhildur Arna Oskarsdottir

Svanhildur Arna Oskarsdottir is MSc student at the time of the study. She now works at a physical therapy clinic in Iceland.

Audur Kristjansdottir

Audur Kristjansdottir is MSc student at the time of the study. She now works at a physical therapy clinic in Iceland.

Judith Amalia Gudmundsdottir

Judith Amalia Gudmundsdottir, PhD, is a specialist in pediatric rheumatology. She is a member of the pediatric rheumatology team at the Children’s Medical Center, University Hospital of Iceland.

Solrun W. Kamban

Solrun W. Kamban is a specialist in family nursing. She is a member of the pediatric rheumatology team at the Children’s Medical Center, University Hospital of Iceland.

Zinajda Alomerovic Licina

Zinajda Alomerovic Licina is a social worker. She is a member of the pediatric rheumatology team at the Children’s Medical Center, University Hospital of Iceland.

Drifa Bjork Gudmundsdottir

Drifa Bjork Gudmundsdottir, PhD, is a specialist in clinical psychology. She is a member of the pediatric rheumatology team at the Children’s Medical Center, University Hospital of Iceland.