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. 2019 Mar/Apr;36(2):150-159.
doi: 10.1177/1043454218819457. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Psychological Predictors of Pain in Children and Adolescents With Sickle Cell Disease: A Scoping Review

Clare Donohoe  1 , Ellen Lavoie Smith  1
Affiliations

Psychological Predictors of Pain in Children and Adolescents With Sickle Cell Disease: A Scoping Review

Clare Donohoe et al. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs. 2019 Mar/Apr.

Abstract

Objective: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common red blood cell disorder that disrupts the lives of many African Americans and those of Middle Eastern heritage within the United States due to frequent pain. There is limited research quantifying biopsychosocial factors, specifically psychological characteristics, that influence pain in children and adolescents with SCD. The aim of this literature review was to identify psychological characteristics that are predictive or associated with pain in children and adolescents with SCD. Method: This review was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. Four databases, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus, were searched using specific terms to address the aim of the review (SCD, pain, pediatrics and adolescents, and psychological characteristics). Results: The review identified a lack of consensus regarding the definitions and measurement of pain frequency and intensity. A variety of psychological characteristics were associated with pain including coping strategies, anxiety, depressive symptoms, catastrophizing, and stress. Overall, the study designs restricted the ability to fully identify psychological characteristics that predict pain. Conclusions: Health science researchers must strive for a deeper understanding about the presentation of SCD pain and psychological risk factors associated with increased pain to provide targeted screening and treatment.

Keywords: pain; psychological characteristics; sickle cell disease.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
PRISMA flow diagram.
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