Treatment of pain in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: A survey of pediatric rheumatologists

TY - JOUR

T1 - Treatment of pain in juvenile idiopathic arthritis

T2 - A survey of pediatric rheumatologists

AU - Kimura, Yukiko

AU - Walco, Gary A.

AU - Sugarman, Etan

AU - Conte, Paola M.

AU - Schanberg, Laura E.

PY - 2006/2/15

Y1 - 2006/2/15

N2 - Objective. To assess the opinions and current practice of pediatric rheumatologists regarding treatment of chronic pain in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods. Standardized questionnaires were distributed to pediatric rheumatologists who are members of the Children's Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance. Demographic data, opinions, and attitudes were solicited about pain assessment, current treatment of JIA with residual pain, and actual use of opioids to treat pain in children with JIA. Results. Of 99 rheumatologists who were contacted, 53 responses were received (53.5%). No significant demographic differences were found in attitudes about pain management and use of opioids. A total of 77.3% of respondents agreed that there are patients who continue to have significant pain despite adequate treatment. However, 59.6% disagreed with the use of opioid analgesics for treatment of those patients. Cross tabulations showed significant relationships between attitudes about opioid use and concerns for side effects, including drowsiness, fatigue, and constipation (χ 2 = 1.16, P > 0.05), as well as addiction (χ 2 = 5.51, P = 0.019). Thirty percent of those who strongly disagreed with opioid use and 52.4% of those who disagreed had in fact prescribed opioids in the past year. The most commonly prescribed opioids were codeine and oxycodone. Practitioners' perceived knowledge of the drugs significantly affected their likelihood to prescribe them. Conclusion. Pediatric rheumatologists are divided in their attitudes regarding treatment of residual pain in children with JIA. Concern for side effects appears to be a major factor in the decision to prescribe these analgesics. More data are needed to facilitate clearer cost-benefit analyses in the decision to prescribe opioids to this clinical population.

AB - Objective. To assess the opinions and current practice of pediatric rheumatologists regarding treatment of chronic pain in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods. Standardized questionnaires were distributed to pediatric rheumatologists who are members of the Children's Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance. Demographic data, opinions, and attitudes were solicited about pain assessment, current treatment of JIA with residual pain, and actual use of opioids to treat pain in children with JIA. Results. Of 99 rheumatologists who were contacted, 53 responses were received (53.5%). No significant demographic differences were found in attitudes about pain management and use of opioids. A total of 77.3% of respondents agreed that there are patients who continue to have significant pain despite adequate treatment. However, 59.6% disagreed with the use of opioid analgesics for treatment of those patients. Cross tabulations showed significant relationships between attitudes about opioid use and concerns for side effects, including drowsiness, fatigue, and constipation (χ 2 = 1.16, P > 0.05), as well as addiction (χ 2 = 5.51, P = 0.019). Thirty percent of those who strongly disagreed with opioid use and 52.4% of those who disagreed had in fact prescribed opioids in the past year. The most commonly prescribed opioids were codeine and oxycodone. Practitioners' perceived knowledge of the drugs significantly affected their likelihood to prescribe them. Conclusion. Pediatric rheumatologists are divided in their attitudes regarding treatment of residual pain in children with JIA. Concern for side effects appears to be a major factor in the decision to prescribe these analgesics. More data are needed to facilitate clearer cost-benefit analyses in the decision to prescribe opioids to this clinical population.

KW - Juvenile arthritis

KW - Pain treatment

KW - Pediatric rheumatology

KW - Survey

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/32544459433

U2 - 10.1002/art.21689

DO - 10.1002/art.21689

M3 - Review article

C2 - 16463417

SN - 2151-4658

VL - 55

SP - 81

EP - 85

JO - Arthritis Care and Research

JF - Arthritis Care and Research

IS - 1

ER -