Abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome in adolescents: a community-based study

Yoga in Pediatric Gastroenterology

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pediatric use of yoga as an integrative medicine modality has increased in prevalence over the last several decades. In this article, we review the available evidence for yoga in pediatric gastrointestinal disorders.

RECENT FINDINGS

Evidence supports that in many pediatric disorders of gut brain interaction (DGBI), including irritable bowel syndrome, functional abdominal pain and functional dyspepsia, yoga decreases pain intensity and frequency and increases school attendance. Yoga has been shown to improve health-related quality of life and improve stress management as an effective adjunct to standard medical therapy in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Further studies are needed regarding optimal frequency, duration of practice and evaluation of the impact on IBD disease activity measures. Yoga may benefit pediatric gastroenterology patients with DGBIs and IBD through improving quality of life and reducing pain. Future yoga studies could investigate biomarkers and continued research will help integrate this modality into routine pediatric gastroenterology care.

Italian guidelines for the management of irritable bowel syndrome in children and adolescents : Joint Consensus from the Italian Societies of: Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Pediatric Nutrition (SIGENP), Pediatrics (SIP), Gastroenterology and Endoscopy (SIGE) and Neurogastroenterology and Motility (SINGEM)

The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID), whose prevalence has widely increased in pediatric population during the past two decades. The exact pathophysiological mechanism underlying IBS is still uncertain, thus resulting in challenging diagnosis and management. Experts from 4 Italian Societies participated in a Delphi consensus, searching medical literature and voting process on 22 statements on both diagnosis and management of IBS in children. Recommendations and levels of evidence were evaluated according to the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) criteria. Consensus was reached for all statements. These guidelines suggest a positive diagnostic strategy within a symptom-based approach, comprehensive of psychological comorbidities assessment, alarm signs and symptoms' exclusion, testing for celiac disease and, under specific circumstances, fecal calprotectin and C-reactive protein. Consensus also suggests to rule out constipation in case of therapeutic failure. Conversely, routine stool testing for enteric pathogens, testing for food allergy/intolerance or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth are not recommended. Colonoscopy is recommended only in patients with alarm features. Regarding treatment, the consensus strongly suggests a dietary approach, psychologically directed therapies and, in specific conditions, gut-brain neuromodulators, under specialist supervision. Conditional recommendation was provided for both probiotics and specific fibers supplementation. Polyethylene glycol achieved consensus recommendation for specific subtypes of IBS. Secretagogues and 5-HT4 agonists are not recommended in children with IBS-C. Certain complementary alternative therapies, antispasmodics and, in specific IBS subtypes, loperamide and rifaximin could be considered.

Safety and efficacy of linaclotide in children aged 7-17 years with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation

OBJECTIVES

Linaclotide, a guanylate cyclase-C agonist, was recently approved in the United States for the treatment of children 6-17 years old with functional constipation. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of various linaclotide doses in children 7-17 years old with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).

METHODS

In this 4-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, Phase 2 study, children with IBS-C were randomized to once-daily placebo or linaclotide (Dose A: 18 or 36 µg, B: 36 or 72 µg, and C: 72 µg or 145 µg, or 290 µg); those aged 7-11 years in a 1:1:1:1 allocation based on weight (18 to <35 kg:18 µg, 36 µg, or 72 µg; or ≥35 kg: 36 µg, 72 µg, or 145 µg), and those aged 12-17 years in a 1:1:1:1:1 allocation (the higher option of Doses A-C or 290 µg). The primary efficacy endpoint was a change from baseline in 4-week overall spontaneous bowel movement (SBM) frequency rate over the treatment period. Adverse events and clinical laboratory measures were also assessed.

RESULTS

Efficacy, safety, and tolerability were assessed in 101 patients. In the intent-to-treat population, numerical improvement was observed in overall SBM frequency rate with increasing linaclotide doses (A: 1.62, B: 1.52, and C: 2.30, 290 µg: 3.26) compared with placebo. The most reported treatment-emergent adverse events were diarrhea and pain, with most cases being mild and none being severe.

CONCLUSIONS

Linaclotide was tolerated well in this pediatric population, showing numerical improvement in SBM frequency compared with placebo.

Expert review of child and caregiver critiques of a therapeutic guided imagery therapy mobile application targeting disorders of gut-brain interaction in children

Background

A guided imagery therapy mobile application (GIT App) is a novel platform for treating children with disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI). Previous feedback from child/caregiver dyads suggested modifications for our App prototype. However, their feedback had the potential to affect the intervention's efficacy. Thus, we aimed to have their critiques vetted by relevant experts prior to further App refinement.

Objective

Compare expert reviews of the GIT App with end-users' (i.e., child/caregiver dyads') feedback.

Methods

This mixed-methods study with experts included a hands-on App evaluation, a survey assessing usability, and focus groups comparing their perspectives with those previously provided by end-users.

Results

Eight medical and technology experts were enrolled. Their average usability survey score of the GIT App was 69.0 ± 27.7, which was marginally above the 50th percentile. While the expert and end-user usability assessments were generally favorable, both groups agreed that the App's reminder notification feature location was not intuitive, detracting from its usability. Experts agreed with end-users that the App's aesthetics were acceptable and suggested increasing icon and font sizes. Like the end-users, the experts did not achieve consensus regarding the ideal session length or inclusion of background sounds and screen animations. Lastly, the experts agreed with end-users that gamification techniques (e.g., gift cards and virtual badges) would promote user engagement.

Conclusion

An expert review of our therapeutic App revealed findings consistent with end-users and provided insight for modifying the interface and GIT sessions. Based on this experience, we recommend expert vetting of end-user suggestions as a routine checkpoint when developing therapeutic Apps.

Assesment of functional gastrointestinal diseases in obese children

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) are disorders of gut-brain interactions characterized by chronic recurrent gastrointestinal symptoms and are reported to be more common in obese individuals. The aim of the study was to evaluate FGID in obese children. A total of 405 children (6-18 years) were enrolled in this cross sectional study. The children were divided into two groups according to body mass index (BMI) as < 85th percentile and > 95th percentile. Diagnosis of FGID was based on ROME VI criteria. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were evaluated. FGID and subgroups were determined. The mean age of the children was 12.73 ± 3.17 years; 52% (n = 211) of them was female and 47.9% (n = 194) was male. A total of 50.6% patients had BMI > 95th percentile, and 55.1% of those patients had FGID. The subgroups of FGID, functional abdominal pain disorders and functional defecation disorders were significantly more common in obese children than non-obese group (P < 0.01). Additionally, constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhea-predominant IBS, functional diarrhea, and abdominal distention were significantly more common in obese children than non-obese children (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

 FGID in obese children was found to be increased significantly. Assessment of functional gastrointestinal symptoms in obese children will prevent unnecessary examinations.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Functional gastrointestinal disorders are reported to be more common in obese individuals.

WHAT IS NEW

• Functional abdominal pain disorders and functional defecation disorders were significantly more common in obese children than non-obese group. • Constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhea-predominant IBS, functional diarrhea, and abdominal distention were significantly more common in obese children than non-obese children.

Impact of Sleep Disturbance on Fatigue, Nausea, and Pain: Mediating Role of Depressive Symptoms Among Youth With Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction

OBJECTIVES

A high degree of sleep disturbance is reported among youth with disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs). Given that sleep quality impacts a range of pediatric health outcomes including somatic sensations (eg, pain) and depressive mood occurs relatively frequently among youth with DGBIs, there is a dire need to disentangle the unique contributions of sleep and depressive mood on the somatic sensations experienced by youth with DGBIs. We aimed to examine whether depressive mood mediates the relations among sleep disturbance and pain intensity, nausea, and fatigue among youth with DGBIs.

METHODS

One hundred eighteen patients aged 8-17 years ( Mage = 14.05, SD = 2.88; 70.34% female), 83.05% White/non-Hispanic recruited at a pediatric neurogastroenterology clinic completed measures of sleep disturbance, nausea, fatigue, pain intensity, and depressive mood. Three mediation models examined the effect of sleep disturbance on nausea, fatigue, and pain, with depressive mood as a mediator.

RESULTS

Participants reported moderate sleep disturbance. Depressive mood partially mediated the significant, respective relations between greater sleep disturbance and more severe nausea and fatigue. Sleep disturbance was significantly associated with higher pain intensity; however, depressive mood was not a significant mediator of this relation.

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep quality is a major concern among youth with DGBIs. Low sleep quality may worsen nausea and fatigue via co-occurring increases in depressive mood symptoms. In contrast, sleep disturbance may directly increase pain, regardless of youths' depressive mood symptoms. Future research should explore these relations through prospective studies leveraging a combination of subjective and objective assessment approaches.

Current use of complementary and conventional medicine for treatment of pediatric patients with gastrointestinal disorders

Infants, children, and adolescents are at risk of experiencing a multitude of gastrointestinal disorders (GID). These disorders can adversely affect the quality of life or be life-threatening. Various interventions that span the conventional and complementary therapeutic categories have been developed. Nowadays, parents increasingly seek complementary options for their children to use concurrently with conventional therapies. Due to the high prevalence and morbidity of diarrhea, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in children, in this review, we decided to focus on the current state of the evidence for conventional and complementary therapies used for the treatment of these diseases in children. Diarrhea treatment focuses on the identification of the cause and fluid management. Oral rehydration with supplementation of deficient micronutrients, especially zinc, is well established and recommended. Some probiotic strains have shown promise in reducing the duration of diarrhea. For the management of constipation, available clinical trials are insufficient for conclusive recommendations of dietary modifications, including increased use of fruit juice, fiber, and fluid. However, the role of laxatives as conventional treatment is becoming more established. Polyethylene glycol is the most studied, with lactulose, milk of magnesia, mineral oil, bisacodyl, and senna presenting as viable alternatives. Conventional treatments of the abdominal pain associated with IBS are poorly studied in children. Available studies investigating the effectiveness of antidepressants on abdominal pain in children with IBS were inconclusive. At the same time, probiotics and peppermint oil have a fair record of benefits and safety. The overall body of evidence indicates that a careful balance of conventional and complementary treatment strategies may be required to manage gastrointestinal conditions in children.

Twenty-year Outcomes of a Pediatric Chronic Abdominal Pain Cohort: Early Adulthood Health Status and Offspring Physical and Behavioral Health

Chronic abdominal pain (CAP) represents a common pediatric primary pain disorder that can have long-term effects on physical and mental health into adulthood. Pediatric CAP and Control cohorts recruited in childhood (∼11 years old, T1) and then assessed in emerging adulthood (∼20 years old, T2) were evaluated again for health outcomes in early adulthood (∼30 years old, T3) for the current study. Further, the study evaluated the mental and physical health of offspring of participants who had become parents. Participants who agreed to enroll at T3 (CAP: n = 90, Control: n = 55) completed measures regarding current health, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and their child's health when applicable. Results indicated close to 20% of the CAP cohort reported recurrent CAP across all 3 timepoints. Participants with current CAP reported poorer HRQoL compared to participants with remitted CAP who reported poorer HRQoL compared to Control participants. The CAP cohort reported higher health-related anxiety compared to the Control cohort regardless of current pain status. CAP compared to Control participants reported greater emotional problems and fewer conduct problems in their children. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess the developmental course of pediatric chronic pain and intergenerational pathways of risk and resilience. Perspective: This article evaluates patterns of chronic abdominal pain from childhood into early adulthood. Patients with pediatric chronic abdominal pain continue to present with health-related anxiety in adulthood and report greater emotional problems in offspring.

A Hypothetical Case Example Illustrating the Importance of a Multidisciplinary Approach to Treating Chronic/Functional Abdominal Pain in Pediatric Patients

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can have a substantial impact on the physical, academic, and psychosocial functioning of pediatric patients. As a functional gastrointestinal disorder, pediatric patients with IBS are thought to benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to target the biopsychosocial factors of this condition. In this co-authored article by a Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Pediatric Pain and Palliative Care specialist and Pediatric GI Psychologist, we present a hypothetical case of a pediatric patient who will undergo evaluation and treatment by each of these specialists demonstrating how a collaborative effort amongst multidisciplinary specialists is the ideal approach to care.

Processing of pain by the developing brain: evidence of differences between adolescent and adult females

ABSTRACT

Adolescence is a sensitive period for both brain development and the emergence of chronic pain particularly in females. However, the brain mechanisms supporting pain perception during adolescence remain unclear. This study compares perceptual and brain responses to pain in female adolescents and adults to characterize pain processing in the developing brain. Thirty adolescent (ages 13-17 years) and 30 adult (ages 35-55 years) females underwent a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan involving acute pain. Participants received 12 ten-second noxious pressure stimuli that were applied to the left thumbnail at 2.5 and 4 kg/cm 2 , and rated pain intensity and unpleasantness on a visual analogue scale. We found a significant group-by-stimulus intensity interaction on pain ratings. Compared with adults, adolescents reported greater pain intensity and unpleasantness in response to 2.5 kg/cm 2 but not 4 kg/cm 2 . Adolescents showed greater medial-lateral prefrontal cortex and supramarginal gyrus activation in response to 2.5 kg/cm 2 and greater medial prefrontal cortex and rostral anterior cingulate responses to 4 kg/cm 2 . Adolescents showed greater pain-evoked responses in the neurologic pain signature and greater activation in the default mode and ventral attention networks. Also, the amygdala and associated regions played a stronger role in predicting pain intensity in adolescents, and activity in default mode and ventral attention regions more strongly mediated the relationship between stimulus intensity and pain ratings. This study provides first evidence of greater low-pain sensitivity and pain-evoked brain responses in female adolescents (vs adult women) in regions important for nociceptive, affective, and cognitive processing, which may be associated with differences in peripheral nociception.

United States Healthcare Burden of Pediatric Functional Gastrointestinal Pain Disorder Hospitalizations from 2002 to 2018

BACKGROUND

The healthcare burden of pediatric functional gastrointestinal pain disorders (FGIDs) is unclear. Our study aimed to characterize the burden of these hospitalizations in the United States (US).

METHODS

We utilized the US National Inpatient Sample from 2002 to 2018 to capture pediatric hospitalizations (ages 4 to 18 years old) with a primary discharge diagnosis of abdominal pain, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, abdominal migraine, cyclic vomiting syndrome, or fecal incontinence. We calculated the FGID hospitalization prevalence rate, length of stay (LOS), and inflation-adjusted costs annually and assessed for statistically significant trend changes using joinpoint analyses.

KEY RESULTS

22.3 million pediatric hospitalizations were captured, and 1 in 64 pediatric hospitalizations were attributed to a primary FGID hospitalization. The overall FGID hospitalization prevalence rate initially remained stable but decreased significantly from 2013 to 2018. Constipation and abdominal pain hospitalization rates, respectively, increased and decreased significantly over time. Constipation hospitalizations were more prevalent for younger non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics. FGID hospitalization rates stratified by sex were similar. Mean LOS was 2.3 days; average LOS increased significantly from 2002 to 2013 and then stabilized. FGID hospitalization costs averaged $6,216 per admission and increased significantly for all FGIDs except dyspepsia. Endoscopic procedures were the most common interventions.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

FGID hospitalization prevalence rates decreased recently, possibly due to national healthcare policy implementation. Nonetheless, constipation admissions increased. LOS was stable in recent years but associated costs-per-hospitalization were increasing over time, probably due to endoscopic procedures. More studies are needed to explain these prevalence and cost trends.

A Guide to Establishing a Pediatric Neurogastroenterology and Motility Program

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance for establishing a pediatric neurogastroenterology and motility (PNGM) program, including considerations for personnel, equipment, and physical space requirements, and business planning, from members of the neurogastroenterology and motility (NGM) Committee of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) who have developed PNGM programs at various institutions. A business plan defining the needs for required personnel, dedicated physical space, procedures, clinical care, and equipment storage is a prerequisite. Thoughtful logistical planning should address provider schedules, clinical visits, procedure coordination, and prior authorization processes. A business-plan outlining equipment purchase with projected costs, revenue generation, and goals for future growth is desirable for obtaining institutional support, which is imperative to building a successful PNGM program.

Children with chronic nausea and orthostatic intolerance have unique brain network organization: A case-control trial

BACKGROUND

Determine whether subjects with chronic nausea and orthostatic intolerance share common alterations in key brain networks associated with central autonomic control: default mode, salience, and central executive networks, and the insula, a key component of the salience network.

METHODS

Ten subjects (ages 12-18 years; 8 females, 2 males) with nausea predominant dyspepsia, orthostatic intolerance, and abnormal head-upright tilt test were consecutively recruited from pediatric gastroenterology clinic. These subjects were compared with healthy controls (n = 8) without GI symptoms or orthostatic intolerance. Resting-state fMRI and brain network modularity analyses were performed. Differences in the default mode, salience, and central executive networks, and insular connectivity were measured.

KEY RESULTS

The community structure of the default mode network and salience network was significantly different between tilt-abnormal children and controls (p = 0.034 and 0.012, respectively), whereas, no group difference was observed in the central executive network (p = 0.48). The default mode network was more consistently "intact," and the consistency of the community structure in the salience network was reduced in tilt-abnormal children, especially in the insula.

CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES

Children with chronic nausea and orthostatic intolerance have altered connectivity in the default mode network and salience network/insula, which supports over-monitoring of their body and altered processing of bodily states resulting in interoceptive hyper self-awareness. The connectivity of the salience network would not support optimal regulation of appropriate attention to internal and external stimuli, and the hyper-connected default mode network may result in a persistent self-referential state with feelings of emotion, pain, and anxiety.

Identification of a Pain-Specific Gene Expression Profile for Pediatric Recurrent Abdominal Pain

Objectives: Functional Abdominal Pain (FAP) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are common recurrent abdominal pain diagnoses with the hallmark, lack of inflammation. To identify a biological signature for IBS/FAP in the colon, this study used genetic profiling to uncover gene expression changes associated with IBS/FAP and abdominal pain. Methods: Patients (8 to 17 years) newly diagnosed with IBS or FAP were enrolled in the study. At diagnostic colonoscopy, three rectal biopsies were collected, and gene expression analysis was performed using a Qiagen PCR Array. Relative fold difference in gene expression for 84 pain-associated genes was calculated using the 2-ΔΔ Cq method compared with pain-free controls. Factors affecting pain burden (Pain Burden Interview; PBI) were analyzed, including age, sex, rectal inflammation, and gene expression. Data were analyzed using multiple stepwise linear regression and 2-tailed t tests (P ≤ 0.05). Results: Of the 22 total patients in the study, 19 were diagnosed with either IBS-Constipation (frequency of 5.26%), IBS-Diarrhea (47.37%), IBS-Mixed (10.53%), or FAP (36.84%). IBS/FAP patients reported significantly higher pain burden at the time of diagnosis compared to pain-free controls (p < 0.001), as well as significantly higher abdominal pain (p = 0.01). Of the 84 genes, expression of GRIN1 (p = 0.02), MAPK3 (p = 0.04), P2X4 (p = 0.04), and PTGES3 (p = 0.02) were all significantly associated with PBI score. Discussion: Abdominal pain associated with IBS/FAP in pediatric patients may be linked to the expression of GRIN1, MAPK3, P2X4, and PTGES3, pointing to potential novel therapeutic targets for management of recurring abdominal pain.

Pre-vaccination vulnerability and suspected adverse events following HPV vaccination. A case-control study nested in the Danish national birth cohort

Previous studies have indicated that girls experiencing suspected adverse events (AE) following HPV vaccination were more vulnerable prior to vaccination. However, no study has previously investigated differences in vulnerability using prospectively collected self-reported measures of vulnerability. The objective of this study therefore was to describe the distribution of biological and psychosocial indicators of vulnerability in girls referred to a hospital setting due to suspected adverse events and compare it with a sample of non-referred HPV vaccinated girls. The study was conducted as a case control study based within the Danish National Birth Cohort. Cases were defined as HPV vaccinated girls referred to a hospital setting between 2015 and 2017 due to suspected adverse events (n = 80), and 5 controls were randomly selected from the remaining source population, matched to cases on age at vaccination, region of residence and year of vaccination. The final study population consisted of 480 girls. Prior exposures were based on information gathered from an 11 year follow up of the DNBC and included information on self-rated health, frequent health complaints, medication use, bullying, stressful life events and physical activity. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between each exposure and referral. The percentage of individuals in the exposed category of each exposure was generally higher for cases than controls. Particularly, the odds of being referred were higher for those with low self-rated health compared to high (OR [95%-CI] 2.43 [1.07-5.5]1), those being bullied (OR 3.19 [1.17-8.73]), and those who had taken medication (OR 2.22 [1.32-3.67]). Overall, these results indicated that girls experiencing suspected AE following HPV vaccination were more vulnerable prior to vaccination.

Multisite Pain Is Highly Prevalent in Children with Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders and Is Associated with Increased Morbidity

OBJECTIVES

To characterize the types of multisite pain experienced by children with functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) and to examine differences in psychosocial distress, functional disability, and health-related quality of life in children with multisite pain vs abdominal pain alone.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study of children ages 7-17 years (n = 406) with pediatric Rome III FAPDs recruited from both primary and tertiary care between January 2009 and June 2018. Subjects completed 14-day pain and stool diaries, as well as validated questionnaires assessing abdominal and nonabdominal pain symptoms, anxiety, depression, functional disability, and health-related quality of life.

RESULTS

In total, 295 (73%) children endorsed at least 1 co-occurring nonabdominal pain, thus, were categorized as having multisite pain with the following symptoms: 172 (42%) headaches, 143 (35%) chest pain, 134 (33%) muscle soreness, 110 (27%) back pain, 94 (23%) joint pain, and 87 (21%) extremity (arms and legs) pain. In addition, 200 children (49%) endorsed 2 or more nonabdominal pain symptoms. Participants with (vs without) multisite pain had significantly higher abdominal pain frequency (P < .001) and severity (P = .03), anxiety (P < .001), and depression (P < .001). Similarly, children with multisite pain (vs without) had significantly worse functional disability (P < .001) and health-related quality of life scores (P < .001). Increasing number of multisite pain sites (P < .001) was associated with increased functional disability when controlling for demographic and other clinical factors.

CONCLUSIONS

In children with FAPDs, nonabdominal multisite pain is highly prevalent and is associated with increased psychosocial distress, abdominal pain frequency and severity, functional disability, and lower health-related quality of life.

Medical Insights from Posts About Irritable Bowel Syndrome by Adolescent Patients and Their Parents: Topic Modeling and Social Network Analysis

Background

Adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are increasingly seeking and sharing information about their symptoms in web-based health care forums. Their posts and those from their parents contain critical insights that can be used by patients, physicians, and caregivers to manage IBS symptoms.

Objective

The aim of this study is to examine the posts from adolescent patients and their parents in a health forum, IBS Group, to better understand the key challenges, concerns, and issues of interest to young patients with IBS and their caregivers.

Methods

Using topic modeling and social network analysis, in this study, we analyzed all the messages (over 750 topics and 3400 replies) posted on the IBS Group forum from 2010-2019 by adolescents with IBS aged 13-17 years and parents having children with IBS. We first detected 6 major topics in the posts by adolescent patients and parents on teenagers’ IBS symptoms and the interaction between the topics. Social network analysis was then performed to gain insights into the nature of web-based interaction patterns among patients and caregivers.

Results

Using the Latent Dirichlet Allocation algorithm and a latent Dirichlet allocation visualization tool, this study revealed 6 leading topics of concern in adolescents with IBS: school life, treatment or diet, symptoms, boys’ ties to doctors, social or friend issues, and girls’ ties to doctors. The top 6 topics in the parents’ discussions were school life, girls’ issues, boys’ issues, diet choice, symptoms, and stress. The analyses show that the adolescent patients themselves are most concerned about the effect of IBS on their everyday activities and social lives. For parents having daughters with IBS, their top concerns were related to the girls’ school performance and how much help they received at school. For their sons, the parents were more concerned about the pain and suffering that their sons had to endure. Both parents and adolescents gained social support from the web-based platform. Topic modeling shows that IBS affects teenagers the most in the areas of pain and school life. Furthermore, the issues raised by parents suggest that girls are bothered more by school performance over pain, whereas boys show exactly the opposite: pain is of greater concern than school performance.

Conclusions

This study represents the first attempt to leverage both machine learning approaches and social network analysis to identify top IBS concerns from the perspectives of adolescent patients and caregivers in the same health forum. Young patients with IBS must face the challenges of social influences and anxiety associated with this health disorder in addition to physical pain and other symptoms. Boys and girls are affected differently by pain and school performance and view the IBS impacts differently from the parents.

Influence of Family History on Children With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The influence of family history on children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is unknown. We conducted a retrospective study to compare the clinical profile and management differences between children with a family history of IBS (FH-IBS) versus without. A total of 251 children were included in the study, 75 (30%) had FH-IBS and 176 (70%) did not. No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in sex composition, age at initial visit, age of IBS diagnosis, dietary modifications, supplements, laxatives, antispasmodics, antidiarrheals, and cyproheptadine use. Children with FH-IBS were, however, more like to have psychological comorbidities (41% vs 23%, P = 0.003), and were more likely to receive psychological counseling (49% vs 23%, P < 0.001) and antidepressant treatment (36% vs 15%, P < 0.001) versus children without. We concluded that children with FH-IBS are more likely to have underlying psychological disorders and receive psychological interventions.

Do children with recurrent abdominal pain grow up to become adolescents who control their weight by fasting? Results from a UK population-based cohort

OBJECTIVE

Gastrointestinal (GI) problems are common in eating disorders, but it is unclear whether these problems predate the onset of disordered eating. Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is the most prevalent GI problem of childhood, and this study aimed to explore longitudinal associations between persistent RAP (at ages 7 and 9) and fasting for weight control at 16.

METHOD

The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) is a UK population cohort of children. Childhood RAP was reported by mothers and defined as RAP 5+ (5 pain episodes in the past year) in our primary analysis, and RAP 3+ (3 pain episodes) in our sensitivity analysis. Fasting for weight control was reported by adolescents at 16. We used logistic regression models to examine associations, with adjustments for potential confounders.

RESULTS

After adjustments, we found no association between childhood RAP 5+ and adolescent fasting for weight control at 16 (OR 1.30 (95% Confidence Intervals [CI] 0.87, 1.94) p = .197). However, we did find an association between RAP 3+ and later fasting, in the fully adjusted model (OR 1.50 [95% CI 1.16, 1.94] p = .002), and after excluding those with pre-existing anxiety (OR 1.52 [95% CI 1.17, 1.97] p = .002).

DISCUSSION

Our findings suggest a possible independent contribution of RAP to later risk of fasting for weight control, and RAP should be enquired about in the assessment of eating disorders. However, frequency of childhood abdominal pain (as captured by ALSPAC) may be less important to long-term outcomes than functional impairment.

Effect of a synbiotic on functional abdominal pain in childhood

BACKGROUND

One of the common functional gastrointestinal disorders in children is functional abdominal pain (FAP). The aim of the present study was to determine whether the administration of a synbiotic composed of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and the seven types of beneficial bacteria is useful in FAP of childhood.

METHODS

In this placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, 4-15-year-old children who met the Rome III criteria for FAP were randomly divided to receive either synbiotic or placebo twice daily for 4 weeks. Primary outcome was at least 50% reduction in the number of pain episodes, and secondary outcomes were a decline of at least two scales in the pain duration and intensity based on Wong-Baker scale. Response to therapy was decrease of pain frequency/intensity.

RESULTS

A total of 67 children completed the trial (35 with synbiotic). Response rate was higher with synbiotic than placebo after four weeks (53.1 vs 11.4%; p<0.001), and synbiotic had significant superiority to placebo to relieve the duration (4.56±9.12 vs12±18.59, min/day, P=0.04), frequency (0.31±0.53vs 1.17±0.7, episode/Wk., P<.001) and intensity (2.38±2.29 vs 5.49±1.83, p<0.001) of abdominal pain.

CONCLUSION

Synbiotic compared to placebo significantly decreased the intensity, frequency and duration of FAP in children.

Functional dyspepsia in children: A study of pathophysiological factors

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is common in children, and treatment targeted towards the altered pathophysiology can improve outcome. We evaluated FD children for abnormality of gastric accommodation and emptying, psychological stressors (PS), Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection, and post-infectious FD.

METHODS

Diagnosis of FD was based on ROME III criteria. Clinical evaluation including dyspeptic symptom scoring and assessment for PS was performed. Satiety drink test for gastric accommodation, gastroscopy with biopsy for HP infection, and solid meal gastric emptying were performed. Sixty-seven healthy children were enrolled for assessing PS and satiety drink test.

RESULTS

Fifty-five FD children (33 boys, age 12 [6-18] years) with symptoms for 4 (2-48) months and dyspeptic score of 5 (1-13) were enrolled. PS were more common in FD than in controls (46/55 vs 9/67; P < 0.001). Median satiety drink volume was 360 mL (180-1320 mL); no patients had satiety drink volume of < 5th centile of healthy children. The frequency (98% vs 85%; P = 0.01) and severity (65 [10-175] vs 50 [5-130]; P < 0.001) of postprandial symptoms were higher in FD than in controls. Of the postprandial symptoms, pain (20.3% vs 0%; P = 0.000) was present only in FD. Delayed gastric emptying was present in 6.5%, HP infection in 11%, and post-infectious FD in 13% cases. Etiological factor was identified in 87% children, with 20% having multiple factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormality of gastric sensorimotor function is seen in one-fourth of FD cases. HP infection and post-infectious FD are present in 11% and 13% cases, respectively.

Ilioinguinal/Iliohypogastric Pulsed Radiofrequency for the Treatment of Pediatric Chronic Abdominal Pain: A Case Report

Chronic abdominal pain in the pediatric population has the potential to interfere with all aspects of life and daily functioning. Pain may originate from various sites including the viscera, fascial layers, muscles, or peripheral nerves. The incidence of somatic neuritis, more specifically ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric neuralgia, remains unknown. We report a case highlighting the use of pulsed radiofrequency in the treatment of lower abdominal pain secondary to ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric neuralgia. In carefully selected patients, as part of a multimodal regimen, pulsed radiofrequency can aid recovery by providing effective and long-lasting pain relief, thus allowing time for effective rehabilitation.

Identifying threshold sizes for enlarged abdominal lymph nodes in different age ranges from about 200,000 individual's data

The threshold size for enlarged abdominal lymph nodes (E-ALNs), a common pediatric disorder, has yet to be standardized. According to the maximum short-axis diameter, this study divided ALNs into Grade A (≥ 10 mm), Grade B (8–10 mm), Grade C (5–8 mm), and Grade D (< 5 mm, normal). To identify the threshold size for E-ALNs, the prevalence of each grade was compared between asymptomatic individuals and symptomatic (e.g., abdominal pain) individuals without other diseases (e.g., appendicitis) that could explain the symptoms for different ages using data from > 200,000 individuals. The results showed the following: (1) For ages 1–3 years, the recommended threshold size is 8 mm, as the differences in the prevalence between the two groups were nonsignificant for Grade C but significant (p < 0.05) for both Grades A and B. (2) For ages 3–14 years, the recommended threshold size is 5 mm, as the differences between the two groups were significant (p < 0.05) for Grades A, B, and C. (3) The prevalence of Grades A, B, and C was very low for ages 0–1 years and high for ages 1–6 years. (4) The prevalence for males was generally higher than that for females for Grades A and B.

Efficacy of Short Course of Preksha Dhyana for Functional Abdominal Pain Disorder in a Busy Pediatric Clinic

Introduction: Mind body techniques such as meditation improve symptoms in children and adults with IBS. Typical courses, however, are lengthy and difficult to administer. We report our experience with a short course of Preksha Dhyana (PD), a child-friendly focused meditation with yoga. Method: Physicians deliver focused meditation while medical assistants taught yoga. Three sessions were administered biweekly with recommendations for daily practice. Pain severity Likert scores were compared with a treatment as usual (TAU) historical control. Anxiety scores were compared from baseline in the PD group. Results: Thirty PD patients aged 9-17 (20 female) and 52 consecutive TAU group aged 5-17 (33 female) were reviewed. The biweekly sessions had high (71%) completion rates. Utilization rates of PD were similar to TAU despite added sessions. The PD group had an average time of follow-up of 8.9 ± 9.4 vs. 6.0 ± 3.9 months in the TAU group (p = 0.522). Changes in pain scores from baseline showed improvement in the PD group, 0.67 ± 0.13 vs. TAU 1.39 ± 0.11 (p = 0.0003). In the PD group, anxiety scores improved significantly from baseline (0.5 vs. 1, P < 0.001). Pain improved in 93% (28/30) and resolved in 47% (14/30). Conclusion: A short course of PD was successfully embedded in a busy pediatric office without additional staffing. The approach proved cost-effective without increasing overall healthcare utilization and showed significant benefits over TAU. Pending RCT confirmation, this offers a cost-effective method to incorporate mind-body techniques into a pediatric office practice.

Does Social Exclusion Alter Sensory and Pain Thresholds in Children and Adolescents with Functional Abdominal Pain? - Results from a Preliminary Study

OBJECTIVE

Functional abdominal pain (AP) is a prevalent issue in childhood and adolescence. The contribution of psychosocial factors in the development and maintenance of this health problem is rather unclear, and experimental studies about underlying mechanisms are lacking. This study investigates whether experimentally induced social exclusion decreases sensory and pain thresholds in children suffering from AP.

SUBJECTS

Twenty children/adolescents with AP and 22 healthy controls.

METHODS

Children/adolescents participated in the Cyberball paradigm, which affects an experience of social exclusion. Thermal sensory and pain thresholds were measured before and after Cyberball.

RESULTS

Children/adolescents with AP showed a divergent reaction regarding their sensory threshold after social exclusion: The control group exhibited a tendency toward a decreased sensory threshold whereas the AP group remained stable. Concerning the pain threshold, no effect of social exclusion could be identified. The increase of both thresholds ("numbing") after Cyberball was positively correlated with symptoms of mental health issues.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to investigate changes in sensory and pain thresholds following painful social interactions in a sample of children/adolescents with a chronic pain condition. Results suggest that AP and control children differ in their reaction of sensory thresholds, which might indicate an altered processing of social exclusion. Replication and further methodological improvements are needed.

The effects of gastrointestinal symptoms on structural grey matter volume in youth

Previous neuroimaging studies have examined the association between changes in brain structure and gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS), seen in disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Irritable Bowel Disease. Studies in adults have found changes in white and grey matter volume (GMV) in patients with various gastrointestinal disorders. However, it is unclear whether GIS-related structural changes in the brain are limited to adults or could be present throughout the lifespan. Given that gastrointestinal disorders are typically diagnosed between 4 and 18 years old, we investigated GIS-induced morphological changes in pre-adolescents (8-10), adolescents (12-16 years) and young adults (17-21 years). Using a voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis, we compared regional grey matter volume (GMV) between participants with GIS and controls, using structural brain images from the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort (PNC) database. A total of 211 participants (107 participants with GISs and 104 control participants) who had undergone structural magnetic resonance imaging were analysed. VBM analysis was used to objectively analyse GMV across the whole brain and compare between participants with GIS and controls. Participants experiencing GIS showed smaller GMV in regions within the limbic system/basal ganglia (bilateral caudate, bilateral ventral hippocampus, bilateral amygdala and bilateral superior orbital frontal cortex), and larger GMV in regions within the pain-matrix (thalamus, bilateral putamen, right mid-frontal gyrus) compared to controls. These differences were most prominent in the adolescent and young adult groups compared to pre-adolescents. In conclusion, the structural differences found in participants with GIS support the need for further research into the neurophysiological impact of these symptoms.

Altered Brain Structure and Functional Connectivity and Its Relation to Pain Perception in Girls With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Imaging studies in adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have shown both morphological and resting state (RS) functional connectivity (FC) alterations related to cortical modulation of sensory processing. Because analogous differences have not been adequately investigated in children, this study compared gray matter volume (GMV) and RS-FC between girls with IBS and healthy controls (HC) and tested the correlation between brain metrics and laboratory-based pain thresholds (Pth).

METHODS

Girls with Rome III criteria IBS (n = 32) and matched HCs (n = 26) were recruited. In a subset of patients, Pth were determined using a thermode to the forearm. Structural and RS scans were acquired. A voxel-based general linear model, adjusting for age, was applied to compare differences between groups. Seeds were selected from regions with group GMV differences for a seed-to-voxel whole brain RS-FC analysis. Significance for analyses was considered at p < .05 after controlling for false discovery rate. Significant group differences were correlated with Pth.

RESULTS

Girls with IBS had lower GMV in the thalamus, caudate nucleus, nucleus accumbens, anterior midcingulate (aMCC), and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. They also exhibited lower RS-FC between the aMCC and the precuneus, but greater connectivity between the caudate nucleus and precentral gyrus. Girls with IBS had higher Pth with a moderate effect size (t(22.81) = 1.63, p = .12, d = 0.64) and lower thalamic GMV bilaterally was correlated with higher Pth (left: r = -.62, p(FDR) = .008; right: r = -.51, p(FDR) = .08).

CONCLUSIONS

Girls with IBS had lower GMV in the PFC, basal ganglia, and aMCC, as well as altered FC between multiple brain networks, suggesting that structural changes related to IBS occur early in brain development. Girls with IBS also showed altered relationships between pain sensitivity and brain structure.

Non-specific Health complaints and self-rated health in pre-adolescents; impact on primary health care use

The objective of the present study was to explore past and future primary health care use in preadolescents reporting frequent non-specific health complaints or a low self-rated health compared to that of preadolescents with no frequent health complaints or with good self-rated health. The study was conducted as a cohort study based within the Danish National Birth Cohort (1996–2002). Information on non-specific health complaints and self-rated health was obtained by an 11-year follow-up questionnaire. Information about number of general practitioner (GP) contacts was obtained from the Health Insurance Service Register. A total of 44,877 pre-adolescents gave complete exposure information. Pre-adolescents who reported frequent non-specific health complaints had a higher use of GP compared to pre-adolescents without complaints across the five years following the index date (somatic complaints: IRR = (1.46 [1.38; 1.55], mental complaints: IRR = 1.16 [1.12; 1.19], both complaints: IRR = 1.58 [1.47; 1.69]). The same pattern was found for the association between low self-rated health and number of GP contacts (IRR = 1.41 (1.36; 1.46)). Non-specific health complaints and a poor self-rated health in pre-adolescents was associated with a higher past and future use of GP, indicating a need for development of early interventions with help for symptom management.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders in children and adolescents: Knowledge, practice and attitudes of Australian paediatricians

AIM

To investigate paediatricians' understanding of, and approaches to, the diagnosis and treatment of functional abdominal pain (FAP) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in children.

METHODS

This study used an electronic survey of doctors subscribing to a popular Australian-based paediatrics email forum. Responses about investigation and management in two clinical vignettes were correlated with respondent demographic data, practice setting, attitudes and knowledge.

RESULTS

The 327 respondents were mostly female (60.3%), aged <45 years (54.5%), general paediatricians (53.5%), working in public outpatient clinics (50.5%). Awareness of Rome III diagnostic criteria was low (37.2%) but associated with confidence in diagnosing FAP/IBS in the vignettes. Respondents who lacked confidence in diagnosing FAP/IBS requested more investigations (P < 0.05), although most acknowledged they would not be helpful. Most (70.5%) believed that families are unlikely to accept an FAP diagnosis without investigations requested. Fewer than 1 of 3 were aware of clear evidence for the effective therapy of FAP or IBS, although awareness did not influence management options selected. Two-thirds of respondents believe that FAP is a psychological rather than a medical problem, while few (8.8%) believe the same about IBS (P < 0.001). Parental pressure to find an immediate cure was cited as the most frequent challenge to successful management in both FAP (86.6%) and IBS (75.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Awareness of the Rome criteria was associated with greater confidence in diagnosing FAP and IBS. Attitudes to FAP and IBS being diagnoses of exclusion are prevalent among paediatricians and associated with more investigations requested. There is a lack of awareness of evidence-based therapies for FAP and IBS.

The role of psychological factors in pediatric functional abdominal pain disorders

BACKGROUND

Pediatric functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) are disorders of brain-gut dysregulation. Psychological factors are known to be related to etiology, maintenance, and exacerbation of pediatric FAPDs. With the evolving literature in the past two decades, a better understanding has emerged of precisely which psychological factors are associated with childhood FAPDs.

PURPOSE

This narrative literature review summarizes the literature of both child and parent psychological factors in pediatric FAPD. Where anxiety and depression were major targets in the older literature, present-day focus is increasingly on pain-specific cognitions and coping strategies including disease threat and catastrophizing. In addition, parental reaction to a child's pain is increasingly recognized as an important moderator of a child's outcomes and has become an area for clinical intervention. Screening for these factors and integrative treatment approaches are recommended in childhood FAPD.

Blastocystis ST-1 is associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome-diarrhoea (IBS-D) in Indonesian adolescences

Objective

IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder and commonly presents in children and adolescences, presented as diarrhoea, constipation or mixed type. Blastocystis is a common intestinal protozoa found worldwide, which pathogenicity is still controversial. This study aimed to identify the risk factors of IBS, the association between IBS types with Blastocystis subtypes and analyse Blastocystis pathogenicity.

Design

A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among senior high school students. Rome III Criteria for IBS diagnosis, questionnaires on the risk factors of IBS and types of IBS were recorded. Students were further selected and classified into IBS and non-IBS groups to analyse the association between IBS, IBS types with Blastocystis infection and its subtypes. Direct microscopic stool examination to identify single Blastocystis infection was performed, followed by culture in Jones' medium, PCR, sequencing of 18S rRNA and phylogenetic analysis to determine Blastocystis subtype. Data was analysed using SPSS v22.0 and P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant (95% confidence intervals).

Results

IBS was found in 30.2% of 454 students, consisted of 33.3% IBS Diarrhoea, 27.7% IBS Mixed, 27.7% IBS Unclassified and 11.1% IBS Constipation. Major risk factors to IBS consisted of family history of recurrent abdominal pain, abuse, bullying and female gender in respective order (OR 3.6–2.1). Blastocystis ST-1 was significantly associated to IBS-D with 2.9 times risk factor.

Conclusions

Blastocystis infection is a risk factor to develop IBS-D type in adolescence; Blastocystis ST-1 can be regarded as a pathogenic subtype.

A boy with duodenocolic fistula mimicking functional gastrointestinal disorder

Duodenocolic fistula (DCF) is a rare disorder defined by the presence of an internal fistula between the duodenum and colon. Colon cancer, Crohn's disease, diverticulum and duodenal ulcer are common causes of DCF, and vomiting and diarrhea are its main symptoms. We report a 14-year-old boy with DCF who had been treated for a functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID). The boy had often experienced episodes of vomiting and diarrhea since infancy, and had been diagnosed with FGID. He was referred to our hospital because of a 2-month exacerbation of persistent vomiting and diarrhea. Upper gastrointestinal contrast revealed no abnormalities. Eventually, esophagogastroduodenoscopy detected a duodenal fistula, and DCF was diagnosed by endoscopic fistulography. Colonoscopy showed a diverticulum in the ascending colon near the fistula. In addition, a C¹³ urea breath test for Helicobacter pylori infection was positive. One hypothetical pathogenesis of his DCF was perforated colonic diverticulitis. Adhesion between the fistula wall and colonic diverticulum near the fistula strongly suggested a relationship between the fistula and the diverticulum. However, he never presented with symptoms of colonic diverticulitis. Thus, a congenital origin was also suspected. After confirming temporary relief from the symptoms by endoscopic closure, surgical closure was performed.

Chronic nausea and orthostatic intolerance: Diagnostic utility of orthostatic challenge duration, Nausea Profile Questionnaire, and neurohumoral measures

BACKGROUND

Chronic nausea in pediatrics is a debilitating condition with unclear etiology. We aimed to define hemodynamic and neurohumoral characteristics of chronic nausea associated with orthostatic intolerance in order to improve identification and elucidate mechanism.

METHODS

Children (10-18 years) meeting Rome III criteria for functional dyspepsia with nausea and symptoms of orthostatic intolerance (OI) completed a Nausea Profile Questionnaire followed by prolonged (45 minutes rather than the traditional 10 minutes) head-upright tilt (HUT) (70° tilt up) test. Circulating catecholamines, vasopressin, aldosterone, renin, and angiotensins were measured supine and after 15 minutes into HUT. Beat-to-beat heart rate and blood pressure were continuously recorded to calculate their variability and baroreflex sensitivity.

KEY RESULTS

Within 10 and 45 minutes of HUT, 46% and 85% of subjects, respectively, had an abnormal tilt test (orthostatic hypotension, postural orthostatic tachycardia, or syncope). At 15 and 45 minutes of HUT, nausea was elicited in 42% and 65% of subjects respectively. Higher Nausea Profile Questionnaire scores correlated with positive HUT testing at 10 minutes (P = 0.004) and baroreflex sensitivity at 15 minutes (P ≤ 0.01). Plasma vasopressin rose 33-fold in subjects with HUT-induced nausea compared to twofold in those who did not experience HUT-induced nausea (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES

In children with chronic nausea and OI, longer duration HUT elicited higher frequency of abnormal tilt testing and orthostatic-induced nausea. The Nausea Profile Questionnaire predicted the orthostatic response to tilt testing. Exaggerated vasopressin release differentiated patients with HUT-induced nausea (vs those without nausea), suggesting a possible mechanism for chronic nausea in childhood.

Gluten and Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders in Children

In children, functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common at all ages. Consumption of certain foods, particularly gluten, is frequently associated with the development and persistence of FGIDs and functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) in adults and children. However, this association is not well defined. Even without a diagnosis of celiac disease (CD), some people avoid gluten or wheat in their diet since it has been shown to trigger mostly gastrointestinal symptoms in certain individuals, especially in children. The incidence of conditions such as non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is increasing, particularly in children. On the other hand, CD is a chronic, autoimmune small intestinal enteropathy with symptoms that can sometimes be mimicked by FAPD. It is still unclear if pediatric patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are more likely to have CD. Abdominal, pain-associated FGID in children with CD does not seem to improve on a gluten-free diet. The threshold for gluten tolerance in patients with NCGS is unknown and varies among subjects. Thus, it is challenging to clearly distinguish between gluten exclusion and improvement of symptoms related solely to functional disorders.

Epistemological and methodological paradoxes: secondary care specialists and their challenges working with adolescents with medically unexplained symptoms

Background

Early adolescence is considered a critical period for the development of chronic and recurrent medically unexplained symptoms (MUS), and referrals and system-initiated patient trajectories often lead to an excess of examinations and hospitalizations in the cross-section between mental and somatic specialist care for this group of patients. Dimensions of the relationship and communication between clinician and patient are shown in primary care studies to be decisive for subsequent illness pathways, often creating adverse effects, but knowledge on clinical communication in specialist care is still scarce.

Methods

This study explores communicative challenges specific to clinical encounters between health professionals and adolescent patients in specialist care, as presented through interviews and focus group data with highly experienced specialists working in adolescent and child services at a Norwegian university hospital.

Results

The results are presented in a conceptual model describing the epistemological and methodological paradoxes inherent in the clinical uncertainty of MUS. Within these paradoxes, the professionals try to solve the dilemmas by being creative in their communication strategies; applying metaphors and other rhetorical devices to explain complex ideas; creating clinical prototypes as a way to explain symptoms and guide them in clinical action; relying on principles from patient-centered care involving empathy; and trying to balance expertise and humility.

Conclusion

The challenges in communication arise as a result of opposing discourses on biomedicine, family, health and adolescence that create dilemmas in everyday clinical work. By moving away from a positivist and biomedical framework towards an interpretive paradigm, where culturally derived and historically situated interpretations are used to understand the social life-world of the patient, one can create a more humane health service in accordance with ideals of patient-centered care.

Phase I of the Detecting and Evaluating Childhood Anxiety and Depression Effectively in Subspecialties (DECADES) Study: Development of an Integrated Mental Health Care Model for Pediatric Gastroenterology

BACKGROUND

Children with gastrointestinal symptoms have a very high rate of anxiety and depression. Rapid identification of comorbid anxiety and depression is essential for effective treatment of a wide variety of functional gastrointestinal disorders.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to determine patient and parent attitudes toward depression, anxiety, and mental health screening during gastroenterology (GI) visits and to determine patient and parent preferences for communication of results and referral to mental health providers after a positive screen.

METHODS

We augmented standard qualitative group session methods with patient-centered design methods to assess patient and parent preferences. We used a variety of specific design methods in these sessions, including card sorting, projective methods, experience mapping, and constructive methods.

RESULTS

Overall, 11 families (11 patients and 14 parents) participated in 2 group sessions. Overall, patients and their parents found integrated mental health care to be acceptable in the subspecialty setting. Patients' primary concerns were for the privacy and confidentiality of their screening results. Patients and their parents emphasized the importance of mental health services not interfering with the GI visit and collaboration between the GI physician, psychologist, and primary care provider.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients and their families are open to integrated mental health care in the pediatric subspecialty clinic. The next phase of the DECADES study will translate patient and parent preferences into an integrated mental health care system and test its efficacy in the pediatric GI office.

Integrating Psychological Screening Into Medical Care for Youth With Abdominal Pain

BACKGROUND

Pediatric functional abdominal pain disorders are common, costly, and disabling. Clinical anxiety is highly prevalent and is associated with increased pain and functional disability. Thus, a psychological screening process is recommended but is infrequently used in current practice.

METHODS

A screening process for patient-reported anxiety (Screen for Child Anxiety and Related Disorders), functional disability (Functional Disability Inventory), and pain levels was implemented in a large gastroenterology division within a major medical center. Quality improvement methods and traditional analytic approaches were used to test the feasibility and outcomes of routine screening in patients ages 8 to 18 with abdominal pain.

RESULTS

Screening rates increased from <1% to >80%. A total of 1291 patients who reported having abdominal pain completed the screening during the first 6 months. Clinically significant anxiety (43.1%), at least moderate disability (45%), and elevated pain (61.5%) were common in children with abdominal pain. The presence of clinically significant anxiety corresponded with higher pain and pain-related disability. Twenty-one percent of youth had clinical elevations in all 3 areas. In such instances, medical providers received an automated prompt to tailor care, including to consider a psychological referral. After the project implementation, psychological referral rates increased from 8.3 per 1000 patients to 15.2 per 1000 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Systematic screening for anxiety, pain, and pain-related disability as a routine part of medical care can be reliably implemented with clinically meaningful results. Future directions include examining the role of anxiety over the long-term and reducing clinician burden.

Seasonal Association of Pediatric Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders and Anxiety

OBJECTIVES

Abdominal pain-related pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders (AP-FGIDs) are defined by abdominal discomfort or pain that may provide obstacles to everyday activities, such as school attendance. It has been reported that AP-FGID symptoms may be reduced in summer, but it is unclear what drives this seasonal variation. This pilot study aimed to explore whether the seasonal variation in AP-FGID symptoms could be explained by various psychological and behavioral factors.

METHODS

Parents of children with AP-FGID symptoms completed online questionnaires on symptoms, anxiety, parental responses to pain, sleep, diet, and physical activity once during spring months and again in the summer months.

RESULTS

In a sample of 34 participants who completed both questionnaires, 22 reported improvements during the summer months. These participants reported a significantly higher seasonal decrease in anxiety than participants whose children's symptoms did not improve from spring to summer (mean decrease 2.21 vs 0.08, P = 0.017). Both groups reported equal improvements in sleep and decreased stress from spring to summer. Neither group experienced statistically significant seasonal change in physical activity or fruit, vegetables, dairy, or caffeine consumption.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that amelioration of gastrointestinal symptoms in pediatric patients with AP-FGID during summer months is associated with amelioration of anxiety in the same time period. It is not yet clear whether decreased anxiety is the cause or effect of decreased AP-FGID symptoms.

Maternal and Child Acceptability of a Proposed Guided Imagery Therapy Mobile App Designed to Treat Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders in Children: Mixed-Methods Predevelopment Formative Research

BACKGROUND

Functional abdominal pain disorders are chronic abdominal pain conditions, which affect up to 20% of children worldwide. Of the various functional abdominal pain disorder treatment modalities, psychological therapies such as guided imagery therapy appear most effective. However, there are significant barriers to receiving psychological therapies, including access to trained therapists. Alternatively, remotely delivered psychological therapies for functional abdominal pain disorders have been efficacious.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to assess acceptability of a proposed guided imagery therapy app designed to treat functional abdominal pain disorders through remote delivery of prerecorded audio sessions and to evaluate user preferences for using such an app.

METHODS

Using a mixed-methods approach, we conducted a predevelopment formative study among children aged 7 to 12 years with a functional abdominal pain disorder and their parents. The parents completed our modified Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) questionnaire, which quantified behavioral intention and related factors for using a guided imagery therapy app. Dyads participated in separate in-person semistructured interviews to assess their attitudes toward and preferences for a guided imagery therapy app. Questionnaire and interview findings were collected concurrently, analyzed separately, and then integrated through methods triangulation.

RESULTS

Among the 15 participating parent-child dyads, 5 (33%) children were Hispanic and 11 (73%) had irritable bowel syndrome. They had diverse socioeconomic status. All parent participants were mothers. The TAM questionnaire indicated that mothers scored favorably on behavioral intention to use a guided imagery therapy app (mean score 12.0, SD 2.6, possible range 3-15). Scores for the TAM factors perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, hedonic motivation, compatibility, and habit also were favorable. Maternal interviews confirmed positive attitudes toward the proposed app. They advocated a visual component to hold their child's attention during the guided imagery therapy sessions; recommended incorporating background sounds into the sessions; favored session reminder notifications from the app; and thought the best time for their child to listen to the sessions would be in the evening or before bed. The child interviews also confirmed positive attitudes toward the proposed app. They suggested guided imagery therapy session topics such as sports and adventures; listening to sessions in their bedroom; and the need for parental supervision to install the app on their mobile device. Integration of the quantitative and qualitative methods findings complimented one another on acceptability. The favorable behavioral intention TAM score aligned well with expressed positive maternal and child attitudes toward the app and can be explained by the desire to avoid medications. The questionnaire and interviews also confirmed therapeutic benefit as an intrinsic motivator to promote routine use.

CONCLUSIONS

A guided imagery therapy app designed to treat pediatric patients with functional abdominal pain disorders appears to be acceptable to both mothers and children. Incorporating parent and child preferences into a guided imagery therapy app could promote therapeutic compliance and increase access to optimal care.

Efficacy of Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in children: a double blind, randomised placebo controlled study

The efficacy of the probiotic strain, Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 in the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) was evaluated in children. A total of 141 children of either sex in the age group 4-12 years, diagnosed with IBS according to the Rome III criteria, participated in the double-blind randomised controlled trial. Children received either B. coagulans Unique IS2 chewable tablets or placebo once daily for eight weeks followed by a two week follow-up period. Reduction in pain intensity as well as other symptoms associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome like abdominal discomfort, bloating, distension, sense of incomplete evacuation, straining at stool, urgency of bowel movement, passage of gas and mucus, and bowel habit satisfaction were assessed. B. coagulans Unique IS2 treated group showed a greater reduction in pain scores as evaluated by a weekly pain intensity scale. There was a significant reduction (P<0.0001) in pain intensity in the probiotic treated group (7.6±0.98) as compared to the placebo group (4.2±1.41) by the end of the treatment period (8 weeks). There was also a significant improvement in stool consistency as well as reduction in abdominal discomfort, bloating, staining, urgency, incomplete evacuation and passage of gas. Bowel habit satisfaction and global assessment of relief was also observed in the B. coagulans Unique IS2 treated group as compared to the placebo group. This study demonstrates the efficacy of B. coagulans Unique IS2 in reducing the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in children in the age group of 4-12 years.

Sequential analysis of child pain behavior and maternal responses: an observational study

This laboratory-based study examined lagged associations between child pain behavior and maternal responses as a function of maternal catastrophizing (CAT). Mothers completed the parent version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale. Children participated in a validated water ingestion procedure to induce abdominal discomfort with mothers present. Video recordings of their interactions were edited into 30-second segments and coded by 2 raters for presence of child pain behavior, maternal solicitousness, and nontask conversation. Kappa reliabilities ranged from 0.83 to 0.95. Maternal CAT was positively associated with child pain behavior and maternal solicitousness, P values <0.05. In lagged analyses, child pain behavior during a given segment (T) was positively associated with child pain behavior during the subsequent segment (T + 1), P <0.05. Maternal CAT moderated the association between (1) child pain behavior at T and maternal solicitousness at T + 1, and (2) solicitousness at T and child pain behavior at T + 1, P values <0.05. Mothers higher in CAT responded solicitously at T + 1 irrespective of their child's preceding pain behavior, and their children exhibited pain behavior at T + 1 irrespective of the mother's preceding solicitousness. Mothers lower in CAT were more likely to respond solicitously at T + 1 after child pain behavior, and their children were more likely to exhibit pain behavior at T + 1 after maternal solicitousness. These findings indicate that high CAT mothers and their children exhibit inflexible patterns of maternal solicitousness and child pain behavior, and that such families may benefit from interventions to decrease CAT and develop more adaptive responses.

Trends of Cholecystectomies for Presumed Biliary Dyskinesia in Children in the United States

BACKGROUND

Biliary dyskinesia (BD) is a controversial clinical entity. Standardized diagnostic test and management guidelines are lacking in children. Published data suggest that long-term outcomes of surgical and medical management are similar. We sought to determine national population-based trends of cholecystectomies performed in children for BD and associated healthcare expenditure in the United States during a 10-year period.

METHODS

Using Nationwide Inpatient Sample and the International Classification of Diseases, the 9th revision clinical modification codes, we identified children who had a cholecystectomy for BD from 2002 to 2011 in the United States.

RESULTS

A total of 66,380 cholecystectomies were identified as primary procedural diagnosis using weighted analysis from 2002 to 2011 in children. BD was the primary indication for cholecystectomy in 6674 (10.8%) of the patients. During the study period, the number of cholecystectomies performed for BD in children increased from 6.6% in 2002 to 10.6% in 2011, and a majority were adolescent white females. The annual health care expenditure for surgical management of BD for children in the US was estimated to almost $16 million/year.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite lack of standardized diagnostic criteria and variable outcomes of surgical intervention reported in pediatric literature, cholecystectomies are commonly performed for children with BD in the United States. Consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and management of this controversial disorder in children are needed.

Overlap between functional abdominal pain disorders and organic diseases in children

Functional abdominal pain disorders are highly prevalent in children. These disorders can be present in isolation or combined with organic diseases, such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel diseases. Intestinal inflammation (infectious and non-infectious) predisposes children to the development of visceral hypersensitivity that can manifest as functional abdominal pain disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome. The new onset of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms in a patient with an underlying organic disease, such as inflammatory bowel disease, is clinically challenging, given that the same symptomatology may represent a flare-up of the inflammatory bowel disease or an overlapping functional abdominal pain disorder. Similarly, irritable bowel syndrome symptoms in a child previously diagnosed with celiac disease may occur due to poorly controlled celiac disease or the overlap with a functional abdominal pain disorder. There is little research on the overlap of functional abdominal disorders with organic diseases in children. Studies suggest that the overlap between functional abdominal pain disorders and inflammatory bowel disease is more common in adults than in children. The causes for these differences in prevalence are unknown. Only a handful of studies have been published on the overlap between celiac disease and functional abdominal pain disorders in children. The present article provides a review of the literature on the overlap between celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and functional abdominal pain disorders in children and establish comparisons with studies conducted on adults.

Functional abdominal pain disorders in children

Chronic abdominal pain is a common problem in pediatric practice. The majority of cases fulfill the Rome IV criteria for functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs). At times, these disorders may lead to rather serious repercussions. Area covered: We have attempted to cover current knowledge on epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors related to pathophysiology, clinical evaluation and management of children with FAPDs. Expert commentary: FAPDs are a worldwide problem with a pooled prevalence of 13.5%. There are a number of predisposing factors and pathophysiological mechanisms including stressful events, child maltreatment, visceral hypersensitivity, altered gastrointestinal motility and change in intestinal microbiota. It is possible that the environmental risk factors intricately interact with genes through epigenetic mechanisms to contribute to the pathophysiology. The diagnosis mainly depends on clinical evaluation. Commonly used pharmacological interventions do not play a major role in relieving symptoms. Centrally directed, nonpharmacological interventions such as hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy have shown both short and long term efficacy in relieving pain in children with FAPDs. However, these interventions are time consuming and need specially trained staff and therefore, not currently available at grass root level. Clinicians and researchers should join hands in searching for more pragmatic and effective therapeutic modalities to improve overall care of children with FAPDs.

Artifact Rejection Methodology Enables Continuous, Noninvasive Measurement of Gastric Myoelectric Activity in Ambulatory Subjects

The increasing prevalence of functional and motility gastrointestinal (GI) disorders is at odds with bottlenecks in their diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. Lack of noninvasive approaches means that only specialized centers can perform objective assessment procedures. Abnormal GI muscular activity, which is coordinated by electrical slow-waves, may play a key role in symptoms. As such, the electrogastrogram (EGG), a noninvasive means to continuously monitor gastric electrical activity, can be used to inform diagnoses over broader populations. However, it is seldom used due to technical issues: inconsistent results from single-channel measurements and signal artifacts that make interpretation difficult and limit prolonged monitoring. Here, we overcome these limitations with a wearable multi-channel system and artifact removal signal processing methods. Our approach yields an increase of 0.56 in the mean correlation coefficient between EGG and the clinical "gold standard", gastric manometry, across 11 subjects (p < 0.001). We also demonstrate this system's usage for ambulatory monitoring, which reveals myoelectric dynamics in response to meals akin to gastric emptying patterns and circadian-related oscillations. Our approach is noninvasive, easy to administer, and has promise to widen the scope of populations with GI disorders for which clinicians can screen patients, diagnose disorders, and refine treatments objectively.

Functional gastrointestinal diseases and psychological maladjustment, personality traits and quality of life

Background

Chronic abdominal pain is a common worldwide problem and known to be associated with psychological problems. This study evaluated the association between abdominal pain-predominant functional gastrointestinal disorders (AP-FGIDs), psychological maladjustment and personality traits in adolescents.

Methods

Adolescents aged 13–18 years were recruited from 5 randomly selected schools in Ampara district of Sri Lanka. AP-FGIDs were diagnosed using Rome III criteria. Translated and validated Rome III questionnaire (Child report form), personality questionnaire (PAQ) and PedsQL (Pediatric Quality of Life) inventory were used in data collection. Written consent was obtained from a parent and assent was obtained from every child recruited. The questionnaire was distributed in an examination setting to ensure confidentiality and privacy. Research assistants were present during data collection to assist on any necessary clarifications.

Results

A total of 1697 subjects were recruited [males 779 (45.9%), mean age 15.1 years, SD 1.6 years]. AP-FGIDs were present in 202 (11.9%). Those with AP-FGIDs had significantly higher mean scores for all personality traits (hostility and aggression, negative self-esteem, emotional unresponsiveness, emotional instability and negative world view), except dependency. Affected children had lower scores for all 4 domains of HRQoL (physical, emotional, social and school functioning), compared to controls (p < 0.05). When the cut off value for Sri Lankan children (89) was used, 66.3% with AP-FGIDs and 48.2% controls had PAQ scores within that of psychological maladjustment (p < 0.001). When the international normative value of 105 was used, these percentages were 27.2% and 14.2% respectively (p < 0.0001). The scores obtained for PAQ negatively correlated with scores obtained for HRQoL (r = − 0.52, p < 0.0001). One hundred and seventeen adolescents with AP-FGIDs (57.9%) had sought healthcare for their symptoms. Healthcare consulters had higher PAQ and lower HRQoL scores (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Adolescents with AP-FGIDs have more psychological maladjustment and abnormal personality traits than healthy controls. Affected adolescents with higher psychological maladjustments have lower HRQoL. Greater psychological maladjustment and lower HRQoL are associated with healthcare seeking behaviour in adolescents with AP-FGIDs.

Increased Postprandial Colonic Motility and Autonomic Nervous System Activity in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Prospective Study

Background/Aims

The prevalence and severity of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) declines with age, but the cause of this is unknown. This study tested 2 hypotheses: (1) autonomic nervous system responses to eating and bowel distention, measured by heart rate variability (HRV), differs by age in IBS patients and (2) HRV is correlated with colonic motility and IBS symptoms.

Methods

One hundred and fifty-six Rome III positive IBS patients and 31 healthy controls underwent colonic manometry with bag distention in the descending colon, followed by ingestion of an 810-kcal meal. HRV, evaluated by low frequency (%LF; 0.04–0.15 Hz) component, high frequency (%HF; 0.15–0.40 Hz) component, and the LF/HF ratio, was measured during colonic distention and after the meal. Motility index and subjective symptom scores were simultaneously quantified.

Results

Both colonic distention and eating decreased %HF and increased the LF/HF ratio, and both indices of autonomic nervous system correlated with age. In IBS patients, %HF negatively correlated with the postprandial motility index after adjusting for age. The %HF and LF/HF ratios also correlated with psychological symptoms but not bowel symptoms in IBS patients.

Conclusion

Decreased vagal activity is associated with increase in age and greater postprandial colonic motility in patients with IBS, which may contribute to postprandial symptoms.