Chronic pain link shown in research

CHILDREN with behavioural problems at school are more than twice as likely to suffer chronic pain in adulthood, researchers said today.

Experts led by a team from Aberdeen University believe there could be a biological link between poor behaviour and the feelings of pain experienced by some people.

More than 18,000 children born in one week in 1958 across the UK were examined for the study, published in the journal Rheumatology.

Another 920 children born in the same week overseas who came to the UK before they were 16 were included.

A variety of information was collected on the children at the ages of seven, 11 and 16, and again at 42 and 45.

Parents and teachers separately assessed children’s behaviour in areas such as restlessness, worrying, being alone, ability to make friends, obedience, stealing, sucking thumbs and biting nails, lying, bullying and truancy.

Aged 42, those taking part in the study filled in a questionnaire about any psychological distress they had suffered in adult life.

When they reached 45, they filled in another questionnaire on the amount and kind of pain they had experienced in adulthood. Chronic widespread pain was slightly more common in women (13%) than in men (12%) and appears to affect the 50 to 60 age group most of all.