Pain in persons with cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the nature and scope of pain in persons with cerebral palsy (CP).


METHODS
Standardized interviews to assess demographics, pain experiences, and the impact of pain on activities.


METHODS
Ninety-three adults with CP recruited from medical clinics at the University of Washington and local residential and community housing for persons with developmental disabilities.


METHODS
Weekly and 3-month pain intensities, chronic pain grade, interference in daily activities caused by pain, and pain-exacerbating and pain-relieving factors.


RESULTS
Sixty-two subjects (67%) reported one or more areas of pain of > or =3 months' duration. Lower extremity pain and back pain were the most common complaints. Fifty-six percent of the subjects reporting pain indicated it occurred daily. Mean average pain intensity, graded on a scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (pain as bad as could be), was 3.16 (SD = 2.45) in the preceding week and 4.45 (SD = 2.34) in the previous 3 months. Approximately 53% of subjects reporting pain indicated their average pain was of moderate to severe intensity (average pain rated as > or =5). Using Von Korff's Chronic Pain Grade classification system, the majority of subjects who reported pain fell into either grade I (low disability, low pain intensity; 51%) or grade II (low disability, high pain intensity; 39%). Subjects reported many factors that exacerbate pain (eg, stress or weather) or decrease it (eg, exercise or rest).


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that pain is common in adults with CP. In many subjects, pain levels were moderate to intense.
Schwartz
L
L
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98195-6490, USA.
Engel
J M
JM
Jensen
M P
MP
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors