Identifying Novel Signatures of Pediatric chronic pain in Real-world Environments (INSPiRE)

Abstract

One in four children experience chronic pain worldwide. Primary chronic pain is the most common type of chronic pain in childhood and is associated with negative impact on physical, psychological, and social functioning. Many children have mental health symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression, insomnia) which impact on their pain experience and are associated with poor prognosis. Identification and treatment of pediatric chronic pain is unequal across groups distinguished by gender, race, ethnicity, language of care, insurance status, and disability status. To date, little is known about how chronic pain is identified and treated across the continuum of care (primary care to tertiary care) and how treatments can be prioritized to address complex mental health comorbidities.