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Leg pains in CHD: a distressing symptom of a wider problem

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 July 2018

Suzie Hutchinson ,
David S. Crossland ,
Bill Chaudhry  and
Louise Coats
Suzie Hutchinson
Affiliation:
Little Hearts Matter, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
David S. Crossland
Affiliation:
Adult Congenital and Paediatric Heart Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Bill Chaudhry
Affiliation:
Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Louise Coats*
Affiliation:
Adult Congenital and Paediatric Heart Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Dr L. Coats MBBS, PhD, Adult Congenital and Paediatric Heart Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK. Tel: +0 191 233 6161; Fax: +0 191 223 1314; E-mail: louise.coats@newcastle.ac.uk
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Abstract

Purpose

Anecdotal 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.

Methods

An internet-based survey was distributed by Little Hearts Matter patient organisation. After anonymisation and collation, responses were analysed and compared with their healthy siblings.

Results

Of 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.

Conclusion

Leg 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”.

Keywords

CHDleg painspatient-reported outcomes
Type
Original Article
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 28 , Issue 10 , October 2018 , pp. 1099 - 1104
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2018 

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