Tim Brunson DCH

Welcome to The International Hypnosis Research Institute Web site. Our intention is to support and promote the further worldwide integration of comprehensive evidence-based research and clinical hypnotherapy with mainstream mental health, medicine, and coaching. We do so by disseminating, supporting, and conducting research, providing professional level education, advocating increased level of practitioner competency, and supporting the viability and success of clinical practitioners. Although currently over 80% of our membership is comprised of mental health practitioners, we fully recognize the role, support, involvement, and needs of those in the medical and coaching fields. This site is not intended as a source of medical or psychological advice. Tim Brunson, PhD

A99: Symptom and Treatment Characteristics of Juvenile Primary Fibromyalgia Syndrome...



Full title: A99: Symptom and Treatment Characteristics of Juvenile Primary Fibromyalgia Syndrome in the CARRA Registry: Are Males and Females Created Equal?

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Children and adolescents with juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome (JPFS) often present to pediatric rheumatologists for evaluation. Limited data are available on the characteristics of and treatments used for JPFS, particularly in males. METHODS: We evaluated deidentified data from baseline visits of JPFS patients entered in the Childhood Arthritis & Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) registry between May 2010 and September 2013. Data regarding demographics, symptoms, functional measures and treatment are compared as a function of gender. RESULTS: There were 172 patients (27 males), ages 8-21 years (Mean (M) = 15.4 +/- 2.3). Patients were symptomatic for a mean of 1.7 +/- 2.2 years prior to their first visit, with no significant difference between males and females (M = 2.2 vs. 1.6 respectively, t(169) = 1.19, p = .2). Widespread pain (89%), fatigue (83%), disordered sleep (77%), headaches (61%), and extremity numbness/tingling (32%) were the most commonly reported symptoms. Females had more numbness and tingling (35% vs. 13% respectively, ?(2) = 4.4, p = 0.04). Table lists treatments used. Males were significantly more likely to have used gabapentin (26% vs. 8%, ?(2) = 7.6, p <0.01). Of the 63 patients using non-pharmacologic treatment, females were significantly more likely to have used massage and yoga. Over 50% of patients received education on JPFS, sleep hygiene, and general counseling. Graded aerobic activity and physical therapy were commonly prescribed. Less then 10% of patients tried opioids, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, craniosacral therapy, hypnosis, and biofeedback. [Table: see text] Mean pain scores were moderate to severe (6.3 +/- 2.5/10) and were significantly positively related to Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) scores (r = .3, p <.01), patient ratings of impairment in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) (r = .4, p < .01), and patient ratings of impairment in overall well-being (r = .6, p < .01) both for males and females. Males were more disabled based on subjective (patient/parent report) functioning measures (HRQOL and CHAQ), although no differences were observed on physician report measures (physician global assessment and ACR functional class). CONCLUSION: Based on data from the largest known cohort of JPFS patients, there are few significant gender differences in physician assessment of disease activity. However, higher levels of disability reported by male patients suggest the need to consider gender when evaluating and treating JPFS patients. Possible explanations for the discrepancies in treatment include effects of gender on physician's perception of patient's pain leading to more medication use among males or females being more willing to try non-pharmacologic modes of treatment. Future studies on gender and treatment outcomes are needed to improve care for these patients.

Arthritis Rheumatol. 2014 Mar;66 Suppl 11:S134. doi: 10.1002/art.38516. Weiss JE(1), Schikler K, Boneparth A, Hoffart C, Connelly M. Author information: (1)Joseph M Sanzari Children's Hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ.

Copyright © 2014 by the American College of Rheumatology.

TrackBacks
There are no trackbacks for this entry.

Trackback URL for this entry:
https://www.hypnosisresearchinstitute.org/trackback.cfm?BF9F62F8-F5EB-1EBF-BE7C8533F7BED638

Comments
© 2000 - 2025The International Hypnosis Research Institute, All Rights Reserved.

Contact