Abstract

PALADINO, Cecilia; EYMANN, Alfredo; LLERA, Julián  and  DE CUNTO, Carmen L.. Estimated prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in children, who attend a community hospital. Arch. argent. pediatr. [online]. 2009, vol.107, n.6, pp.515-519. ISSN 0325-0075.

Introduction. Musculoskeletal pain is a common symptom in childhood. It is estimated that 5 to 19% of healthy children experience musculoskeletal pain. Aims. To estimate the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and to describe epidemiological characteristics in children 3 to 12 years of age, who attend a community hospital. Population, material and methods. This is an observational transversal study. A self-administered questionnaire was completed in the waiting room of the Pediatric ambulatory area. Children with chronic diseases were excluded. Statistical tests used included Χ² test, Mc Nemar and a logistic regression model analysis. Results. A total of 240 questionnaires were distributed and 229 were returned. Median age of children was 6 years and 36 (25-50) years in their mothers. Fifty four percent were girls. Pain was present in 21.4% in the last year, and 19.2% in the past 3 months, both groups were concordant (Mc Nemar test not significant). Associated factors with pain in the last year were: age and family history of current pain and during childhood (logistic regression model). No relation was found with sex of the child, mother age, mono-parental family, siblings or stress family factors in the last year. The musculoskeletal pain was localized in: lower limbs (66%), muscles (52%), joints (38%) and was bilateral in 33%. In 40% of children the pain duration was transient (minutes), 55% developed pain, at least, once a month and in 51% was related to exercise. Limitation of daily living activities due to pain was seen in 16%. The pain resolved spontaneously in 50%. Pediatricians were consulted in 63% of the cases and 8% consulted in Orthopedics. When comparing the pain pattern in 2 groups of children (< and > 6 years), we found that older children tended to present pain more than once a month and related to exercise. Conclusions. The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was 21.4%. Pain was associated to child age and family history of musculoskeletal pain. Pain was referred to lower limbs (mainly muscles), periodic (more than once a month) and related to exercise.

Keywords : Musculoskeletal pain; Children; Prevalence.

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