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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Consultation patterns of children and adolescents with knee pain in UK general practice: analysis of medical records

Authors: Zoe A. Michaleff, Paul Campbell, Joanne Protheroe, Amit Rajani, Kate M. Dunn

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Knee problems are common in children and adolescents. Despite this, little is known about the epidemiology of knee problems in children and adolescents who consult in general practice. The aim of this study was to describe consultations by children and adolescents about knee problems in general practice, and examine patterns of patient presentations and consultations by age group, sex and area of socio-economic deprivation.

Methods

Consultations records specific to the knee region were extracted from a general practice consultation database (CiPCA) over a one year period. Knee consultation codes were organised into ‘symptom’ or ‘diagnosis’ (sub-categorised: ‘trauma’, ‘non-trauma’) categories. Descriptive statistics were used to describe patient presentations and number of consultations overall, and stratified analysis carried out on age group, sex, and area of socio-economic deprivation.

Results

Out of all musculoskeletal consultations, knee problems were the fourth most common patient presentation, responsible for the second highest number of consultations. Patient presentations and consultations increased up to age 12–15 years and then stabilised. Symptoms codes e.g. ‘knee pain’ were used more commonly than diagnosis codes e.g. ‘knee sprain’ overall. However, symptom code use declined as age increased, more symptom codes were used in girls compared to boys, and more diagnosis codes were used in patients from areas of high socio-economic deprivation.

Conclusions

This study provides insight into the epidemiology of knee problems in children and adolescents in general practice. Future research is needed to improve our understanding of the knee problems encountered by GPs, and the influence socio-economic deprivation has on consultations.
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Metadata
Title
Consultation patterns of children and adolescents with knee pain in UK general practice: analysis of medical records
Authors
Zoe A. Michaleff
Paul Campbell
Joanne Protheroe
Amit Rajani
Kate M. Dunn
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-017-1586-1

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