Schmerzen bei Jungen und Mädchen: Vorläufige Ergebnisse einer 1-Jahres-Verlaufsstudie

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate pain complaints in boys and girls over a 1-year period. Methods: One year after baseline (T1), a follow-up study (T2) was performed at secondary schools in Lübeck, Germany. Information about pain complaints during the preceding 3 months was obtained. For the 1-year follow-up survey, 1,599 children and adolescents who had returned an evaluable questionnaire at both baseline and follow-up were included (53.4% girls). Results: Over the 1-year course, the prevalence of any pain at all as well as headache, abdominal, back, menstrual, and multiple pain increased significantly in girls. Girls rated the intensity of their most bothersome pain significantly higher than boys did at both measurement times. Pain lasting longer than 12 months was reported significantly more often by girls than by boys in both surveys. Conclusions: The course of pain complaints differs in boys and girls with regard to both the 3-month prevalence of pain and characteristics of pain. The results of this investigation indicate that girls may have a higher risk for chronification of pain complaints during a 1-year course. Further studies are needed.