Fatigue and pain in children and adults with multiple osteochondromas in Norway, a cross-sectional study

Background: Multiple Osteochondromas (MO) is a rare skeletal disorder frequently needing orthopaedic surgery. High prevalence of pain has been reported, however fatigue has not previously been investigated. Purpose: Our aims were to investigate prevalence of fatigue and pain in Norwegian children and adults with MO. Furthermore to compare prevalence of fatigue with reported prevalence in other groups and explore some factors that may contribute to fatigue in this population. Methods: Questionnaire data was obtained from 11 children and 21 adults, approximately one third of the estimated MO population in Norway. Fatigue and pain was measured with validated instruments. Results: Children with MO reported significantly higher fatigue than healthy children. Adults reported significantly higher fatigue than the general Norwegian population. Six of 11 children and 20 of 21 adults reported pain. Severe fatigue was more prevalent in persons with high age, high pain intensity and many pain locations; however none of these differences were significant. Conclusion: High prevalence of fatigue was found in Norwegian children and adults with MO. Such findings have not been previously reported. Pain was prevalent in both children and adults. This implies that fatigue and pain warrant specific attention in clinical practice and further research regarding persons with MO.