Pediatric Rheumatology Online Journal → June 2003 → Health-Related Quality of Life, Disease Activity and Outcome Assessments→ Abstract #30

JUVENILE CHRONIC ARTHRITIS: PREDICTORS OF PARENT-CHILD DISCREPANCY ON REPORTS OF PAIN, DISABILITY, AND QUALITY OF LIFE

T. M. Palermo, K. Zebracki, A. Newman, N. G. Singer

¹Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies & Children

Introduction: Recurrent pain is an important problem in children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) with potential impact on their daily functioning and overall quality of life (QOL). The purpose of the present study was to examine parent-child agreement on ratings of pain, disability, and QOL in children with JCA, and to identify demographic and psychosocial predictors of parent-child discrepancies.
Methods: Participants included 63 children with JCA, 8-16 years (M = 12.38, SD = 2.61), 81% female, and their parents recruited as part of a larger longitudinal study of pain and disability. The majority of children had pauciarticular JCA (52%). Children and parents completed parallel versions of validated measures of pain, functional disability, and health-related QOL during a routine rheumatology clinic visit.
Results: Most children reported experiencing pain at least once per week, with more children reporting daily pain as compared to parental reports,
Conclusion: Discordance between parent and child reports of pain, disability, and QOL in children with JCA is common. Findings suggest that parent-child disagreement about pain symptoms may be an important marker for excessive disability.