@article{Schwerdt:13847,
      recid = {13847},
      author = {Schwerdt, Helen and Christe, Guillaume and Pate, Joshua W.  and Blake, Catherine and Smart, Keith M.},
      title = {The prevalence of chronic pain in adolescents in Central  Switzerland : a cross- sectional school-based study  protocol},
      journal = {Plos one},
      address = {2024-02},
      number = {ARTICLE},
      pages = {12 p.},
      abstract = {Background : Chronic pain is associated with substantial  personal suffering and societal costs and is a growing  healthcare concern worldwide. While chronic pain has been  extensively studied in adults, limited data exists on its  prevalence and impact in adolescents. Understanding the  prevalence and impact of chronic pain and pain beliefs in  adolescents is crucial for developing effective prevention  and treatment strategies. This study aims to estimate the  prevalence, characteristics, and impact of chronic pain,  and explore adolescents’ knowledge and beliefs about  pain.
Methods : This is an observational cohort study of  school-going adolescents aged 11 to 17 years in Central  Switzerland. The study will estimate the point prevalence,  characteristics (location, intensity, frequency, duration)  and impact (PROMIS Pediatric Short Form v2.0 –Pain  Interference Scale, PPIS) of chronic pain in school-going  adolescents. We will also measure and investigate pupils’  beliefs about pain (Concept of Pain Inventory (COPI)). Data  will be collected through manual and digital self-report  questionnaires and from participants in primary, secondary,  and high schools between September 2023 and January  2024.
Analyses : The primary analyses will utilise  descriptive statistics to estimate the point prevalence,  characteristics, and impact of chronic pain. Secondary  analyses will analyse associations and correlations between  chronic pain, impact of pain and beliefs about  pain.
Outcomes : This study will provide an estimate of the  prevalence, characteristics and impact of chronic pain in  adolescents in Central Switzerland and a measure of  adolescents’ understanding and beliefs about pain. In doing  so, this study will provide insights into the scale of  chronic pain as a public health concern. By understanding  adolescents’ pain beliefs and their influence on pain  experience, this study can contribute to the development of  educational approaches to enhance adolescents’ knowledge  and understanding of pain in order to optimize the  prevention and treatment of chronic pain in adolescents.  The findings may be useful to healthcare professionals and  funders, policymakers, and researchers involved in the  prevention, assessment, and treatment of pain in  adolescents.},
      url = {http://arodes.hes-so.ch/record/13847},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0297088},
}