Perspectives on the clinical significance of functional pain syndromes in children.
Functional pain syndromes (FPS) characterize a subset of individuals who experience pain and related symptoms and disability without clear structural or disease etiology. In the pediatric population, FPS hold high clinical importance due to significant prevalence rates and potential to persist into adulthood. Although extensive research has been executed to disambiguate FPS, the syndromes that fall within its spectrum remain conceptually complex and sometimes ill-defined. This paper provides an overview of available research on the classification and multifaceted etiology of FPS in youth and their effects on interpersonal, psychological, and familial function. Vital aspects of a successful multidisciplinary approach to treating this population are described; however, it is evident that future research requires more longitudinal studies.
Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA ; Boston Children's Hospital, Center for Pain and the Brain, PAIN Research Group, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
Molly C
MC
Basch
Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA ; Boston University School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
Erika T
ET
Chow
Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA ; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Deirdre E
DE
Logan
Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Neil L
NL
Schechter
Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA ; Boston Children's Hospital, Center for Pain and the Brain, PAIN Research Group, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA ; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Laura E
LE
Simons
biopsychosocial model; functional pain; overlapping chronic pain; pediatrics; primary pain disorders