Self-reported Bodily Pain in Schoolchildren
Abstract
It has been suggested that musculoskeletal symptoms develop from early age and can be regarded as a lifespan phenomenon. The study of childhood pain might provide a better understanding of the origin of chronic pain in adults. In a study of 569 schoolchildren, aged 10-15 years, in a local community close to Oslo, 75% reported that they usually experience bodily pain. Girls reported more pain than boys. 25% of those reporting pain experience symptoms several days a week. Knee symptoms and back pain were most frequently reported. Thirty-seven % of the girls reported headache, only 20% of the boys. Girls also reported more neck and shoulder pain than boys. The oldest respondents reported symptoms from more body parts. Symptoms from several body parts were more frequent among girls. Thirty-eight % of the respondents reported that it sometimes is hard to concentrate because of the pain, and 26% reported that they sometimes have to use medication. The consequences of pain increased with increasing age and increasing number of body parts affected. The results are consistent with findings in the adult population.
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Musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents predicts health and social difficulties in later life.
“Musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents correlates with impaired health-related quality of life, 46 while also predicting health and social difficulties in later life. 47”
From No association between joint hypermobility, musculoskeletal pain and neurodevelopmental problems in a school-based sample of 11-year-old children (2025) · cites this paper as [47]
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- Authors
- Bente Kr. Smedbråten, B. N.
- Affiliations
- The Ullensaker Study Group, Jessheim, Institute of general practice and community medicine, University of Oslo, Norway I
- Venue
- Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 1998-01
- Volume
- 27
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 10-15
- ISSN
- 0300-9742 (ISSN-L)
- 1502-7732
- OpenAlex
- W2130704837
- Cited by
- 70
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 1 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 2.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Pediatric Pain Management Techniques
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research
- Keywords
- pediatric pain, musculoskeletal symptoms, elementary school students, sex differences, back pain, knee pain, headache, neck and shoulder pain, analgesic use, age differences
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Child, Female, Humans, Male, Musculoskeletal System, Pain, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sex
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