Prevalence and predictors of chronic pain intensity and disability among adults with sickle cell disease

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Nadine Matthie, Emory University; Corette Jenerette, University of South Carolina; Ashley Gibson, Emory University; Sudeshna Paul, Emory University; Melinda Higgins, Emory University; Lakshmanan Krishnamurti, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2020-01-01
• Publisher: SAGE
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s) 2020.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2055102920917250
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Health Psychology Open
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 2055102920917250
• End Page: 2055102920917250
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute via an Administrative Research Supplement (3U01HL128566-02S1) to NM.
• Keywords: disability; adults; chronic pain; sickle cell disease; coping
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Among 170 adults with sickle cell disease, we evaluated chronic pain impact and disability prevalence, assessed age and gender differences, and identified psychosocial predictors of chronic pain intensity and disability. Most participants had a high level of disability. Chronic pain intensity and disability were significantly associated with pain catastrophizing and chronic pain self-efficacy, and worsened with age. Further research is needed to confirm study findings and develop interventions, including palliative care approaches that address catastrophizing and disability, particularly for young women and middle-aged adults with sickle cell disease. Moreover, consistent clinical assessment of chronic pain and psychosocial health should be implemented.