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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Louise CoatsORCiD
This is the authors' accepted manuscript of an article that has been published in its final definitive form by Cambridge University Press, 2018.
For re-use rights please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions.
© 2018 Cambridge University Press. PurposeAnecdotal reports suggest that children and young adults with CHD frequently experience pain in their legs. The purpose of this pilot study, performed by Little Hearts Matter patient organisation, was to assess the burden of leg pains in this group and begin to investigate associated factors and consequences for daily living.MethodsAn internet-based survey was distributed by Little Hearts Matter patient organisation. After anonymisation and collation, responses were analysed and compared with their healthy siblings.ResultsOf the 220 patients who responded, 94% reported leg pains compared with 30% of siblings (n=107; p<0.001). In respondents, pain was typically reported to occur in the lower legs or around the knees or ankles, often associated with crying and screaming (49.0%) and most commonly occurring at night-time (82.0%). Individuals taking aspirin and those who were more active were more likely to report leg pains. Older age was associated with leg pain that occurred with stress (p=0.02) and at night (p=0.05). Analgesia (64.1%) or massage (53.9%) was the preferred option for alleviation. There was no gender bias, association with diagnosis, surgical history, and/ or relationship with diagnosed orthopaedic issues.ConclusionLeg pains are more frequent in those with CHD compared with their healthy siblings. Aetiology is uncertain, but pains share many common characteristics with benign "growing pains".
Author(s): Hutchinson S, Crossland DS, Chaudhry B, Coats L
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Cardiology in the Young
Year: 2018
Volume: 28
Issue: 10
Pages: 1099-1104
Print publication date: 01/10/2018
Online publication date: 24/07/2018
Acceptance date: 30/04/2018
Date deposited: 03/10/2018
ISSN (print): 1047-9511
ISSN (electronic): 1467-1107
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
URL: https://doi.org/10.1017/S104795111800094X
DOI: 10.1017/S104795111800094X
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