Pain in children and adolescents with falciform disease: Observational study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The most common symptom in sickle cell disease (SCD) is high-intensity pain that manifests in childhood. To be controlled, it is necessary to determine its type. OBJECTIVE: To outline the profile of pain in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease and analyze its impact on quality of life. METHODS: Cross-sectional study was con-ducted with children and adolescents aged 8 to 17 years and diagnosed with DF HbSS and HbSC (WHO criteria) in reference units (Salvador, Bahia, Brazil). The Adolescent Pediatric Tool (APPT) children's pain assessment scale and the PedsQL module DF quality of life questionnaire were applied. Associations and correlations between the items of the instruments were tested (Alpha 5%, Beta 20%). CAAE 57274516.8.0000.5544 and 09163419.3.0000.5544. RESULTS: Two samples, one with 46 and the other with 44 partici-pants, with about 60% of the HbSS type, confirmed the presence of high pain intensity (from 5.0 ± 0.00 to 9.94 ± 0.23 points on the scale pain intensity) throughout the body and systematic use of analgesics (95.5%). The greater the intensity of pain, especially in the case of neuropathic pain, the greater the total number of descriptors and the use of sensory, affective, and temporal terms (p <0.05), with strong correlations (r ≥ 0.84; p <0,05) between intensity and sensory and evalua-tive descriptors. CONCLUSION: Pain in children and adolescents with SCD is high intensity, with the worst losses for those who report pain with neuropathic characteristics.