Biopsychosocial Risk Influences on the Development and Generation of Early-Onset Chronic Pain

RecruitingObservational study

Who can join

Ages 14 to 26 · All sexes

Full eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of rheumatic/autoimmune disease/pain condition or initial MSK surgery prior to age 18
* Current age 14 to 26 years
* Participant (and parent/legal guardian of participants \< 18 yo) can read and write in English
* At least 1 year from diagnosis of pain or rheumatic disease
* For individuals with MSK surgical history, at least 1 year after initial surgical intervention
* For individuals with rheumatic disease, their disease must be considered inactive

Exclusion Criteria:

* They have active disease (JIA or cSLE)
* Other medical conditions (e.g., malignancy, acute injury, surgery, infection) that impact current health status at the time of enrollment
* Currently pregnant or breastfeeding

About the study

The purpose of the study is to discover the underlying subtypes of chronic musculoskeletal pain (muscle and joint pain) in youth. Specifically, the researchers are looking for different profiles of brain and immune system signals that affect how the body feels pain, and how these pain profiles are shaped by a person's medical history, psychology, and social environment. The goal is to develop more precise treatments for chronic pain in young people.

Primary Aim: The investigators want to identify subtypes of childhood-onset chronic pain (pain lasting more than 3 months) that affects the musculoskeletal system. To do this, the study will enroll teens and young adults (ages 14-26 years) who were diagnosed with chronic pain in childhood (before the age of 18) or have a pediatric rheumatic disease or major surgery that places them at risk for developing chronic pain. The researchers will look at participants' childhood medical histories and treatments, their current pain and other symptoms, sensory tests of pain and immune system markers found in their blood. The investigators will use this information to find different clinical and neuroimmune profiles of chronic pain. They will also be able to identify the profiles of those who are at risk for chronic pain (because of a rheumatic disease or past surgery) but never develop long term pain.

Secondary Aim: The study will look at how medical history, treatments, and different lifestyle factors (like sleep and physical activity), and psychosocial factors (mood, coping, social support) influence the pain experience in subgroups of chronic pain identified in the primary aim. By understanding specific behavioral and psychosocial risk and protective factors-the researchers hope to better understand why some young people develop long-lasting pain and others do not and also how better treatments can be developed for those who do have chronic pain.

What is being tested

Not applicable- observational study (other)

Sponsor: Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati · Participants: 600 · Started: 2026-10

Contact the study team

Megan Kirschman · Phone: 5136361846

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07602595

Locations in the U.S.

Ohio	Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati

Conditions

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Nov 15, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.