Characteristics of chronic non-specific musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents attending a rheumatology outpatients clinic: a cross-sectional study

Background: Chronic non-specific musculoskeletal pain (CNSMSP) may develop in childhood and adolescence, leading to disability and reduced quality of life that continues into adulthood. The purpose of the study was to build a biopsychosocial profile of children and adolescents with CNSMSP. Methods: CNSMSP subjects (n = 30, 18 females, age 7-18) were compared with age matched pain free controls across a number of biopsychosocial domains. Results: In the psychosocial domain CNSMSP subjects had increased levels of anxiety and depression, and had more somatic pain complaints. In the lifestyle domain CNSMSP subjects had lower physical activity levels, but no difference in television or computer use compared to pain free subjects. Physically, CNSMSP subjects tended to sit with a more slumped spinal posture, had reduced back muscle endurance, increased presence of joint hypermobility and poorer gross motor skills. Conclusion: These findings support the notion that CNSMSP is a multidimensional biopsychosocial disorder. Further research is needed to increase understanding of how the psychosocial, lifestyle and physical factors develop and interact in CNSMSP

Secondary and tertiary prevention in the management of low-trauma fracture

A significant risk factor for osteoporotic fracture is a previous atraumatic fracture. The objective of this study was to investigate whether patients with Colles fracture from minimal trauma were subsequently identified, assessed and treated for their elevated risk of fracture. Medical records at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth, Western Australia, from August 1999 to July 2000 were audited and 111 patients who had sustained a Colles fracture from minimal trauma were identified. Questionnaires were subsequently posted to participants to determine whether any assessment or treatment was undertaken outside the hospital system. According to documentation in the medical records, 9% (10/111) had their bone mineral density assessed, 15% (17/111) were receiving medical therapy for osteoporosis, 7% (8/111) had their falls risk assessed and 51% (58/111) were seen by a physiotherapist. Of the 58 who received physiotherapy, 76% (44/58) received upper limb exercises and 19% (11/58) received lower limb or balance exercises. Follow-up questionnaires one to two years after the fracture were returned by 43% (48/111) of the sample. By this time, 37% (18/48) had BMD assessed and 27% (13/48) were receiving medical therapy for osteoporosis. Thirty-five per cent (17/48) of patients recalled being advised to increase their calcium intake. Of those who reported more than one fall during the past 12 months, 62% (8/13) had been seen by a physiotherapist, 46% (6/13) reported having their balance assessed and 54% (7/13) reported having a home visit for assessment of rails etc. Despite the availability of effective treatments, a substantial proportion of patients with Colles fracture from minimal trauma are not being identified, assessed or treated for their elevated risk of subsequent osteoporotic fracture