The distinct longitudinal impact of pain catastrophizing on pain interference among youth living with sickle cell disease and chronic pain

This study aimed to identify the unique long-term impact of pain catastrophizing on pain impairment among youth with SCD. Youth with chronic SCD pain (N = 63, 10–18 years old, 58.3% female, 95.1% Black or African American) were recruited within comprehensive SCD clinics and completed a battery of measures at baseline and 4-months follow-up. A linear hierarchical regression examined baseline demographic and clinical characteristics (child SCD genotype, age, and average pain intensity), psychosocial functioning (anxiety, depression), and pain catastrophizing as predictors of pain interference at 4-months follow-up. Pain catastrophizing was the only unique predictor of pain interference at 4-months follow-up. Among youth with chronic SCD pain, pain catastrophizing warrants greater consideration as an important predictor that influences pain management and overall functioning.
Source: Journal of Behavioral Medicine - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research