Journal of pediatric psychology
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Comparative Study
Multidimensional assessment of pain in pediatric sickle cell disease.
To conduct a multidimensional assessment of pain in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Variables included parent and child reports of pain location and intensity, qualitative descriptors of pain, perceptions regarding the seriousness and severity of SCD, and environmental and emotional factors associated with pain. ⋯ Findings support including children as reporters in clinical assessment of SCD pain. Integration of assessment strategies into home-based pain management may improve health outcomes. Future research should target biobehavioral treatment for pediatric SCD pain.