Reporting of Sociodemographic and Equity-Related Factors in Emergency Department Pain Trials for Children: A Scoping Review.

Context

Effective management of children's acute pain in emergency departments (EDs) is essential, yet health disparities exist. The applicability of evidence to diverse pediatric populations depends on clear demographic reporting. The PROGRESS-Plus framework identifies social determinants of health that influence care and outcomes, but it is unclear to what extent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in pediatric ED pain management report these variables.

Objective

This scoping review examines the frequency and completeness of PROGRESS-Plus reporting in RCTs evaluating acute pain interventions for children in EDs in Canada and the USA. DATA SOURCES Using Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and the Participant, Concept, Context framework, we conducted a scoping review of RCTs published between 2013 and 2025. MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and CENTRAL were searched using a peer-reviewed strategy. STUDY SELECTION Eligible studies involved children and youth experiencing acute presenting or procedural pain in ED settings. Two reviewers independently screened studies. DATA EXTRACTION Data were extracted using standardized forms refined with input from patient partners. Narrative synthesis and descriptive statistics were applied to summarize PROGRESS-Plus reporting.

Results

Of 3667 records identified, 65 RCTs met inclusion criteria. Thirty-five studies focused on procedural pain interventions, and 30 on interventions for painful presentations. Age was reported in all studies, and gender and/or sex in 98%. Race and/or ethnicity was reported in 40%, and chronic illness and/or disability in 18%. No studies reported socioeconomic status or place of residence.

Conclusions

RCTs addressing pediatric pain in the ED rarely report equity-relevant demographic variables beyond age and gender and/or sex, limiting assessment of intervention effectiveness across diverse populations. Standardized demographic reporting is needed to support equitable, evidence-based pain research and care.