In the past decade, behavioral scientists have made major contributions to the assessment and nonpharmacological treatment of acute and chronic pain associated with sickle cell syndromes. Acute pain is defined as intense pain of recent onset that usually diminishes and disappears when healing has taken place. Acute pain serves an adaptive biological function, directing attention to an injury or disease condition, prompting an immediate response to encourage avoidance or escape from harmful stimuli.
Chronic pain refers to pain of long duration, typically three months or greater.
In chronic pain, the pain itself can be viewed as the disease, because it no longer has a biological function. Given children's various cognitive-developmental stages, their conceptualizations of pain and discomfort may be different from those articulated by adults. These chronic pain behaviors eventually may be maintained independently of the original nociceptive impulses and tissue damage, and reinforced by socioenvironmental influences. A comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach that addresses biomedical, psychological, social and environmental factors is the most efficacious form of treatment for sickle cell syndrome pain. Clinical Findings Subjective Data Accurate assessment is essential for the effective management of pain in children and adults.