Is It Really Musculoskeletal Pain? Differential diagnosis and screening for referral in paediatric musculoskeletal disorders: a scoping review protocol

ABSTRACT Introduction Musculoskeletal disorders are common in children and adolescents. They could have a broad spectrum of causes, which the most are self-limiting and usually do not need a referral to specialistic care. It is mandatory for the healthcare professionals working primary care settings to be able to understand when to perform a “wait and see” approach or when further investigations are needed. This study aims to identify signs and symptoms reliable to serious or life-threatening conditions that could be detected during the screening process and the physical examination of children and adolescent with common musculoskeletal disorders by a healthcare professional in direct access clinical setting. Materials and Methods The scoping review (ScR) will be performed following the six-stage methodology suggested by Arksey and O’Malley and the extensions to the original framework that are recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Fourteen electronic databases will be investigated since their inception. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist will be used to meet the required standards of quality and reproducibility. Review tools will be used for the quality assessment of the included studies. This protocol received input from all authors who have expertise in research methodology and paediatric and musculoskeletal disorders. Ethics and Dissemination The results of this ScR will be relevant given that screening for referral in paediatric musculoskeletal disorders has not been addressed in the literature properly yet. Dissemination will include submission to peer-reviewed journal. Ethical approval is not required for scoping reviews. PROTOCOL INFORMATION Anticipated or actual start date: January 2021 Anticipated completion date: December 2021