[Estimated prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in children, who attend a community hospital].
BACKGROUND
Musculoskeletal pain is a common symptom in childhood. It is estimated that 5 to 19% of healthy children experience musculoskeletal pain.


OBJECTIVE
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.


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 chi(2) 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.
Paladino
Cecilia
C
Servicio de Clínica Pediátrica, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires.
Eymann
Alfredo
A
Llera
Julián
J
De Cunto
Carmen L
CL
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006764:Hospitals, Community / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index