Prevalence, Patterns, and Correlates of Pain in Medically Hospitalized Pediatric Patients With Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

Somatic symptom and related disorders (SSRDs) and pain are highly comorbid in the pediatric population. Little is known about the prevalence of pain and factors that may predispose and perpetuate pain in hospitalized youth with SSRD. To describe the prevalence of pain and widespread pain symptoms in hospitalized youth with SSRD and describe differences between patients who endorsed limited (1–4 sites) versus widespread (5–8 sites) pain. Retrospective chart reviews were conducted of pediatric patients with SSRD seen over a 32-month period at a tertiary pediatric hospital and assessed by the psychiatry consultation service. During admission, patients completed the Childhood Somatization Inventory, which assessed pain and other physical symptoms. Descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variances, Pearson's χ2, stepwise linear regressions, and internal consistency analyses were used. Of the 219 patients (aged 8–18 y), 97% reported pain symptoms, and of those reporting pain (n = 213), 48% reported widespread pain. Patients with widespread pain had greater rates of comorbid depression (P = 0.012), neglect (P = 0.016), family psychiatric history (P = 0.013), diagnostic tests/procedures (P = 0.012), and prescribed opioid use (P = 0.016), when other medical and demographic factors were considered. When compared dichotomously to youth with limited pain, there was no difference in prevalence of medical conditions; however, patients with widespread pain had higher rates of trauma and stressor-related disorders (P = 0.017), sexual abuse (P = 0.031), emotional abuse (P = 0.041), and prior child protective service involvement (P = 0.011). Pain symptoms and widespread pain are common in medically hospitalized youth with SSRD, with unique psychiatric and psychosocial factors associated with widespread pain.