| dc.description.abstract | This study examined the relation between parental chronic pain history and the persistence of children’s chronic abdominal pain (CAP) symptoms and impairment. We prospectively followed pediatric CAP patients (n=319) over an average of 9 years and at follow-up, assessed parental chronic pain history, abdominal pain persistence, somatic symptoms, disability, and other pain-related outcomes. Results indicated a significantly higher prevalence of positive maternal and paternal chronic pain histories in patients with persistent CAP in comparison to patients with resolved CAP. Positive maternal and paternal chronic pain histories were associated with greater abdominal pain severity, somatic symptoms, and disability at follow-up. CAP patients with a positive parental chronic pain history, in comparison to those with a negative parental chronic pain history, were more likely at follow-up to have developed non-abdominal chronic pain, to use four or more prescription medications, to have visited the emergency room in the past three months, and to have ever lost a job due to illness. A positive parental chronic pain history was not associated with laboratory measures of pain sensitivity. Findings are discussed in relation to clinical implications and directions for future research. | |
