Cross‐sectional assessment of pain and physical function in skeletal dysplasia patients

Abstract

Short stature skeletal dysplasia (SD) patients have orthopedic and neurologic complications causing significant pain and physical disability. We conducted a large cross-sectional online survey in 361 people with short stature SD (>10 years) to describe pain prevalence, characteristics, and the relationship between pain and function. Chronic pain prevalence per Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) was 70.3%. Women reported more pain than men (73% vs 63% p = 0.04). Pain Severity Score (average of current, worst, least and average pain) averaged 3.3 ± 2, while the Pain Interference Score (with daily activities) averaged 3.4 ± 2.7 on a 10-point scale. Per Bleck scale, 20.5% had little or no functional capacity. Increasing age and decreased ambulation independently predicted chronic pain. Chronic pain is prevalent in short stature SD patients and associated with poor physical function. Further study is required to clarify the temporal relationship among pain, function and treatments.

Current knowledge of medical complications in adults with achondroplasia: A scoping review

“…Physical health scores: Lower in adults with achondroplasia than in the general population Declines with increasing age Impair independent ambulation and daily functioning …”

“…Several of the included studies reported on high body mass index (BMI) and obesity in adult achondroplasia populations . Owen et al found that half of the participants had increased abdominal‐hip ratio, indicating abdominal obesity.…”

“…Dhiman et al found that 79 of 106 (75%) adults with achondroplasia reported pain , compared with 19% in the average‐statured US population . Alade et al found that 64% of the 153 respondents reported pain vs 25% to 35% in the general US population . Pain prevalence increased with age, and reached a plateau in the 50s, and markedly impaired independent ambulation and daily functioning.…”

“…Pain prevalence increased with age, and reached a plateau in the 50s, and markedly impaired independent ambulation and daily functioning. However, more than 80% reported to be independent in activities of daily living . Dhiman et al found that mean physical component scores , measured by SF‐12, were lower than the US mean in 41 individuals (39%), and decreased with the age of 40 years and older .…”

Evaluation of the Child with Short Stature

“…33,34 The impact on health-related quality of life caused by pain and decreased physical function can be substantial in skeletal dysplasia patients. 32,35,36 Many validated instruments are available to measure this in the clinical setting. 36 In the most common skeletal dysplasia, achondroplasia, low back pain and lower extremity pain have been shown to be brutally progressive over time.…”