Growing up with chronic pain: a systematic review of the evidence in transitional care for young people with chronic pain. (24th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huckerby, Lauren; McDonagh, Janet E; Lee, Rebecca Rachael
• Is Part Of: Rheumatology advances in practice. Volume 7(2023)Supplement 1
• Page Start: i19
• Page End: i25
• Publication Date: 2023-03-24
• Subjects: chronic pain -- young people -- adolescent -- young adult -- adolescent rheumatology -- transitional care -- developmentally appropriate care -- health transition; Rheumatology -- Periodicals; Rheumatology; Rheumatic Diseases; Rheumatology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodical; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1093/rap/rkad006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2514-1775

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Paediatric chronic pain presents a significant individual and societal burden, with an estimated prevalence of 11–38%. A large proportion of adolescents with chronic pain will have unresolved pain that continues into adulthood and thus requires transitional care. The aim of this review was to investigate the current evidence for the core components of effective transitional care interventions designed for young people with chronic pain. Methods: Studies were identified by searching the Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsycINFO databases. A search strategy using terms such as 'Adolescent', 'Persistent long-term pain' and 'Transition' (or variations of such words) was implemented. Inclusion criteria were sample population age 10–24 years, a confirmed diagnosis of a condition characterized by chronic pain, any healthcare setting, any service provider, published peer reviewed and English language. Results: Ninety-eight articles were identified by the search and 14 were selected after abstract screening. Two independent reviewers screened the articles, followed by a senior reviewer. Of the 14 articles, full-text review found that none of the articles looked specifically at evidence with respect to core components of effective transitional care designed for young people with chronic pain. Conclusion: Chronic pain is a feature of many long-term health conditions. It remains unknown as to whether there are any pain-specific aspects of transitional care. How pain management is addressed in existing transitional care provision and the relationship of pain to outcomes needs further research. If effective interventions can be provided during these crucial years, the trajectory of these young people can potentially be improved into adulthood. Lay Summary: What does this mean for patients? Chronic pain during adolescence is a significant problem for young people, their families and society. Many young people will continue to have pain as adults and will therefore need care to prepare them for adulthood. Our aim was to review the current evidence for the core components of this transitional care in young people with chronic pain. We searched four databases to identify studies to review. We identified and included research that included individuals 10–24 years old, a confirmed diagnosis of a condition characterized by chronic pain, any healthcare setting, any service provider, published and reviewed by experts in the field and in the English language. Of 98 articles that were identified by the search, 14 were selected as meeting the criteria. These articles were evaluated by two reviewers in the study team. However, none of the articles provided evidence with respect to transitional care for young people with chronic pain. We did not find any research investigating transitional care designed for young people with chronic pain other than evidence of need. It remains unknown as to whether there are any pain-specific aspects of transitional care and whether the trajectory of these young people as adults can potentially be improved with effective interventions.