Pain in adolescents and its risk factors: A case-control study

Abstract

Introduction.The most common painful syndromes (headache, abdominal pain and musculoskeletal pain) develop or worsen during adolescence and are a common reason for consultation. Objective. Evaluate the association of age, sex, obesity, pubertal development, schooling level, employment and family structure with consultation for pain in adolescents. Population and methods. Case-control study conducted between February 1st, 2014 and June 30th, 2015. Inclusion criteria: ages 10 to 20 years, both sexes, consultation for pain (cases), or a checkup and/or school physical (controls). χ² test and Student's tests were used. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated. A binary logistic regression model was constructed to independently assess each pain-related variable. Results. A total of 4224 medical records were evaluated; 237 cases and 468 controls were included. Adolescents with pain exhibited: greater age (p < 0.0001; OR 2.3; 95% CI: 1.6-3.2); greater number of females (p < 0.0001; OR 2.24; 95% CI: 1.61-3.12); greater pubertal development (p < 0.0035; OR 2.16; 95% CI: 1.3-3.6); greater school dropout level (p < 0.0001; OR 13.4; 95% CI: 3.9-42.9); greater employment levels (p < 0.0001; OR 3.04; 95% CI: 1.7-5.3). Only age, female sex and school dropout were independently associated with consultation for pain. There were no significant differences with obesity and family structure. Conclusion. Older age, female sex and school dropout were independent risk factors in consultation for pain in adolescents. Puberty and employment were associated, but were not found to be independent risk factors.