Beckmann Emily A, Aarnio-Peterson Claire M, Homan Kendra J, Stough Cathleen Odar, Jastrowski Mano Kristen E
Department of Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA.
Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA.
J Clin Med. 2025 Jul 27;14(15):5300. doi: 10.3390/jcm14155300.
: Chronic pain and eating disorders are two prevalent and disabling pediatric health concerns, with serious, life-threatening consequences. These conditions can co-occur, yet little is known about best practices addressing comorbid pain and eating disorders. Delayed intervention for eating disorders may have grave implications, as eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates among psychological disorders. Moreover, chronic pain not only persists but worsens into adulthood when left untreated. This study aimed to understand pediatric clinicians' experiences with adolescents with chronic pain and eating disorders. : Semi-structured interviews were conducted with hospital-based physicians ( = 10; 70% female; years of experience = 15.3) and psychologists ( = 10; 80% female; years of experience = 10.2) specializing in anesthesiology/pain, adolescent medicine/eating disorders, and gastroenterology across the United States. Audio transcripts were coded, and thematic analysis was used to identify key themes. : Clinicians described frequently encountering adolescents with chronic pain and eating disorders. Clinicians described low confidence in diagnosing comorbid eating disorders and chronic pain, which they attributed to lack of screening tools and limited training. Clinicians collaborated with and consulted clinicians who encountered adolescents with chronic pain and/or eating disorders. : Results reflect clinicians' desire for additional resources, training, and collaboration to address the needs of this population. Targets for future research efforts in comorbid pain and eating disorders were highlighted. Specifically, results support the development of screening tools, program development to improve training in complex medical and psychiatric presentations, and methods to facilitate more collaboration and consultation across health care settings, disciplines, and specialties.
慢性疼痛和饮食失调是两个普遍存在且致残的儿童健康问题，会带来严重的、危及生命的后果。这些情况可能同时出现，但对于应对疼痛与饮食失调共病的最佳做法却知之甚少。饮食失调的干预延迟可能会产生严重影响，因为饮食失调在心理疾病中死亡率极高。此外，慢性疼痛若不治疗，不仅会持续存在，还会在成年后恶化。本研究旨在了解儿科临床医生在处理患有慢性疼痛和饮食失调的青少年患者时的经历。：对美国各地专门从事麻醉学/疼痛、青少年医学/饮食失调和胃肠病学的医院医生（n = 10；70%为女性；工作年限 = 15.3年）和心理学家（n = 10；80%为女性；工作年限 = 10.2年）进行了半结构化访谈。对音频转录本进行编码，并采用主题分析来确定关键主题。：临床医生表示经常遇到患有慢性疼痛和饮食失调的青少年。临床医生称在诊断疼痛与饮食失调共病方面信心不足，他们将其归因于缺乏筛查工具和培训有限。临床医生与遇到过患有慢性疼痛和/或饮食失调青少年的临床医生进行合作并咨询。：结果反映出临床医生希望获得更多资源、培训和合作，以满足这一人群的需求。强调了未来在疼痛与饮食失调共病研究方面的努力方向。具体而言，结果支持开发筛查工具、开展项目以改善对复杂医学和精神疾病表现的培训，以及促进跨医疗环境、学科和专业进行更多合作与咨询的方法。
