Psychosocial issues in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease: report of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

Surgical management of pediatric Crohn's disease

Management of pediatric-onset Crohn's disease uniquely necessitates consideration of growth, pubertal development, psychosocial function and an increased risk for multiple future surgical interventions. Both medical and surgical management are rapidly advancing; therefore, it is increasingly important to define the role of surgery and the breadth of surgical options available for this complex patient population. Particularly, the introduction of biologics has altered the disease course; however, the ultimate need for surgical intervention has remained unchanged. This review defines and evaluates the surgical techniques available for management of the most common phenotypes of pediatric-onset Crohn's disease as well as identifies critical perioperative considerations for optimizing post-surgical outcomes.

Adolescent and caregiver perceptions of addressing mental health in inflammatory bowel disease

Adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at an increased risk of anxiety and depression compared to peers, but availability of mental health services in IBD clinics does not meet patients' needs, and use of primary care services for mental health screening and care is low. This study provides qualitative data regarding adolescent and caregiver perspectives on addressing mental health in IBD. Interviews were conducted with adolescents with IBD and caregivers of adolescents with IBD. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed for prominent themes. Thirteen adolescents and fourteen caregivers were interviewed. Three primary themes emerged: mental health stigma makes discussing it more difficult, physician-adolescent trust makes conversations about mental health easier, and asking about mental health directly can help adolescents feel comfortable. Adolescents and caregivers highlighted the importance of considering each patient and their family individually when choosing how to discuss mental health. Fostering trust with adolescents with IBD is vital to addressing mental health. While encouraging standardized screening is important, the most patient-centered approach to mental health involves considering families individually to identify and address mental health challenges. Given the increased risk of anxiety and depression in pediatric patients with IBD, all providers encountering these patients should be equipped to discuss mental health non-judgmentally.

The contributions of clinical disease activity, functional disability, and illness intrusiveness to depressive symptoms in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Clinical disease activity associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can place physical limitations on youths' activities of daily living. In turn, functional limitations potentially contribute to youths' heightened experience of IBD-induced intrusions on a wide range of routine and valued activities (i.e., illness intrusiveness), which can increase their risk for depressive symptoms. The present study examined the contributions of clinical disease activity, functional disability, and illness intrusiveness to depressive symptoms in youth with IBD.

METHODS

Youth (N = 180) completed the Functional Disability Inventory (FDI), Illness Intrusiveness Scale-Child (IIS-C), and Children's Depression Inventory-2 (CDI-2). Physicians completed the Physicians Global Assessment of disease activity (PGA).

RESULTS

Results revealed a mediating effect for functional disability in the association between disease activity and depressive symptoms (PGA → FDI → CDI-2); illness intrusiveness mediated the association between functional disability and depressive symptoms (i.e., FDI → IIS-C → CDI-2). Serial mediation revealed that clinical disease activity conferred an indirect effect on youth depressive symptoms through the sequential effects of functional disability and illness intrusiveness (i.e., PGA → FDI → IIS-C → CDI-2).

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these findings indicate that youth who encounter more physical limitations as a function of clinical disease activity are more likely to experience an amplified sense of IBD-related intrusions on their ability to participate in meaningful activities. In turn, heightened illness intrusiveness increases the likelihood of depressive symptoms. Clinical interventions that help youth maintain adequate functional ability in the face of IBD disease activity and encourage involvement in positively valued activities could decrease the negative impact of IBD on youths' emotional adjustment.

Assessment and management of anxiety and depression in a pediatric high-risk asthma clinic

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of positive mental health (MH) screens in a pediatric high-risk asthma (HRA) clinic population, and to determine the success rate of engagement in MH services before and after adding a clinical psychologist to our multidisciplinary clinic.

HYPOTHESIS

We hypothesized that the HRA population would have a higher prevalence of anxiety/depression symptoms than that previously reported for the general pediatric asthma population. We anticipated that the presence of an embedded psychologist in HRA clinic would facilitate successful connection to MH services.

METHODS

Pediatric patients in the HRA clinic were prospectively screened for anxiety and depression using validated screening instruments. Positive scores were referred for MH services. Time to MH service engagement was recorded before and after the addition of a clinical psychologist.

RESULTS

A total of 186 patients were screened; 60% had a positive MH screen. Female sex was associated with higher median scores on both screening tools and higher likelihood of engagement in MH services. After addition of a clinical psychologist, new engagement in MH services increased (20% vs. 80%, p < 0.0001), and median time to engagement decreased (14.5 vs. 0.0 months, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

There is a high prevalence of anxiety and depression in this pediatric HRA population. Success of engagement in MH services improved after a clinical psychologist joined our multidisciplinary team, suggesting access to care as a primary barrier to engagement.

A Nationwide Survey on Patient Empowerment in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Germany

BACKGROUND

The incidence/prevalence of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing. IBD places a significant burden on young patients during important developmental stages and affects their families. Children and adolescents with IBD require increased support from health care services. However, little is known about the additional support needed and how to provide it. Therefore, a large survey was conducted with a focus on patient empowerment.

METHODS

For the anonymous survey, called CEDNA, a patient questionnaire for adolescents with IBD and a questionnaire for parents of children and adolescents with IBD were made available throughout Germany (distributed n = 2810). Questions covered various aspects of coping with the disease, utilization of care, use and need of information and communication services, and how information should be provided.

RESULTS

From October 2021 to April 2022, 1158 (n = 708 parents (61.1%), n = 450 patients (38.9%)) questionnaires were completed. The results show a deficit in pediatric IBD care and revealed a large gap in knowledge about core IBD topics (e.g., 74.8% of patients feel poorly informed about transition, 62.4% know little about patient organizations and self-help groups, and 54.7% have little information about preventive health measures), indicating a low level of health literacy among affected children and adolescents.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric IBD poses significant challenges for patients, their families, and healthcare teams. By empowering patients and families, and providing targeted information and communication tailored to the age of the child or adolescent and the needs of the parents, care can be improved and better adapted to the needs of patients. Actions would include providing quality information online through scientific societies and patient organizations and facilitating self-management in adolescents.

Applicability of the PedsQLTM 4.0 Generic and Fatigue Modules in Romanian Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Pilot Study

The Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) Inventory is a tool used to measure Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in children aged 2 to 18 years. The aim of the present study was to investigate the feasibility and reliability of the Romanian version of two PedsQL modules, the Generic Core and the Multidimensional Fatigue Scales, in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Children diagnosed with IBD in our clinic and their parents completed a total of 26 Romanian version PedsQL forms, while a control group of healthy children and their caregiver filled in 86 identical online forms. We compared total and dimensional scores between controls and subjects, along with age, sex, and active versus inactive disease differences. The results indicated that the PedsQL total and summary scores differentiated between subjects and controls, with lower HRQoL and higher levels of fatigue being reported in children with chronic IBD. The Romanian version of the PedsQL was found to be feasible and reliable, with good internal consistency higher than 0.70 and minimum missing responses. However, the limited number of participants meant that clinical activity severity indices correlated poorly with fatigue and generic scores. Further validation of these models requires larger, multi-centric studies.

Epidemiological analysis reveals a surge in inflammatory bowel disease among children and adolescents: A global, regional, and national perspective from 1990 to 2019 - insights from the China study

Background

The burden of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) among children and adolescents is rising globally, with substantial variation in levels and trends of disease in different countries and regions, while data on the burden and trends were sparse in children and adolescents. We aimed to assess the trends and geographical differences in children and adolescents aged zero to 19 in 204 countries and territories over the past 30 years.

Methods

Data on IBD among children and adolescents was collected from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 database from 1990 to 2019. We used the GBD data and methodologies to describe the change in the burden of IBD among children and adolescents involving prevalence, incidence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and mortality.

Results

Globally, the IBD prevalence cases increased between 1990 and 2019. Annual percentage changes (AAPC) = 0.15; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.11-0.19, and incidence cases of IBD increased from 20 897.4 (95% CI = 17 008.6-25 520.2 in 1990 to 25 658.6 (95% CI = 21 268.5-31 075.6) in 2019, representing a 22.78% increase, DALYs cases decreased between 1990 and 2019 (AAPC = -3.02; 95% CI = -3.15 to -2.89), and mortality cases of IBD decreased from 2756.5 (95% CI = 1162.6-4484.9) in 1990 to 1208.0 (95% CI = 802.4-1651.4) in 2019, representing a 56.17% decrease. Decomposition analysis showed that IBD prevalence and incidence increased significantly, and a trend exhibited a decrease in underlying age and population-adjusted IBD DALYs and mortality rates. Correlation analysis showed that countries with high health care quality and access (HAQ) had relatively higher IBD age-standardised prevalence rate (ASPR) and age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR), but lower age-standardised DALYs rate (ASDR) and age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR).

Conclusions

Global prevalence and incidence rate of IBD among children and adolescents have been increasing from 1990 to 2019, while the DALYs and mortality have been decreasing. Rising prevalence and rising incidence in areas with historically low rates will have crucial health and economic implications.

Variability of Psychosocial Services Within the ImproveCareNow Learning Health System: Opportunities for Optimization

Care for youth with pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the focus of ImproveCareNow (ICN), an international learning health system devoted to quality care and improved outcomes through collaboration, data sharing, and research. Known to be significantly disruptive to normative social development and quality of life, pediatric IBD significantly increases the risk of internalizing distress and secondary developmental sequelae. While multidisciplinary support including psychosocial care (from social workers and pediatric psychologists) is growing, this evidence-based and beneficial set of services is not universally available to youth with IBD. In a survey sent to the more than 100 established ICN centers, psychosocial providers attempted to identify the coverage and practice scope of psychosocial providers within the network. Results indicated that support varies widely by service type and availability of providers. Recommendations for further research and considerations for centers seeking to expand supports are considered.

Health Care Maintenance in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Patients with pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (pIBD) are at an increased risk for complications and comorbidities including infection, nutritional deficiencies, growth delay, bone disease, eye disease, malignancy, and psychologic disorders. Preventative health maintenance and monitoring is an important part to caring for patients with pIBD. Although practice is variable and published study within pIBD is limited, this article summarizes the important field of health-care maintenance in pIBD. A multidisciplinary approach, including the gastroenterologist provider, primary care provider, social worker, psychologist, as well as other subspecialists is necessary.

Factor analysis of the stigma scale-child in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVE

Illness stigma, or perceived stigma related to a chronic health condition, is pervasive among youth with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, no studies exist examining the psychometric properties of illness stigma measures in this population. Using a modified version of the Child Stigma Scale originally developed for youth with epilepsy, the current study investigated the factor structure and validity of this adapted measure (i.e., Stigma Scale - Child; SS-C) in youth with IBD.

METHODS

Factor analyses were conducted to determine the most parsimonious factor structure for the adapted 8-item Stigma Scale - Child in a sample of 180 youth with IBD. Correlations were conducted to assess convergent validity, and a multiple regression was conducted to further evaluate the measure's predictive validity of child depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

The most parsimonious model for the SS-C is a one-factor solution with an error covariance between the two items assessing concealment/disclosure of IBD diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The SS-C is a psychometrically sound illness stigma measure in pediatric IBD that demonstrates strong convergent validity with psychosocial adjustment factors such as thwarted belongingness, illness uncertainty, and illness intrusiveness, as well as strong predictive validity with youth depressive symptoms. The SS-C is a viable option for use as a brief screener in youth with IBD across clinical and research settings.

Rising Burden of Psychiatric and Behavioral Disorders and Their Adverse Impact on Health Care Expenditure in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

PURPOSE

The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are increasing along with an increasing number of patients with comorbid conditions like psychiatric and behavioral disorders, which are independent predictors of quality of life.

METHODS

Non-overlapping years (2003-2016) of National Inpatient Sample and Kids Inpatient Database were analyzed to include all IBD-related hospitalizations of patients less than 21 years of age. Patients were analyzed for a concomitant diagnosis of psychiatric/behavioral disorders and were compared with IBD patients without psychiatric/behavioral disorder diagnoses for outcome variables: IBD severity, length of stay and inflation-adjusted hospitalization charges.

RESULTS

Total of 161,294 IBD-related hospitalizations were analyzed and the overall prevalence rate of any psychiatric and behavioral disorders was 15.7%. Prevalence rate increased from 11.3% (2003) to 20.6% (2016), p<0.001. Depression, substance use, and anxiety were the predominant psychiatric disorders. Regression analysis showed patients with severe IBD (odds ratio [OR], 1.57; confidence interval [CI], 1.47-1.67; p<0.001) and intermediate IBD (OR, 1.14; CI, 1.10-1.28, p<0.001) had increased risk of associated psychiatric and behavioral disorders than patients with a low severity IBD. Multivariate analysis showed that psychiatric and behavioral disorders had 1.17 (CI, 1.07-1.28; p<0.001) mean additional days of hospitalization and incurred additional $8473 (CI, 7,520-9,425; p<0.001) of mean hospitalization charges, independent of IBD severity.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of psychiatric and behavioral disorders in hospitalized pediatric IBD patients has been significantly increasing over the last two decades, and these disorders were independently associated with prolonged hospital stay, and higher total hospitalization charges.

Quality of Life Among Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of life in children and adolescents aged 7-18 years with inflammatory bowel disease and identify the factors that influence it.

Patients and Methods

A multi-center cross-sectional study in which participants were recruited from 3 governmental hospitals in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. A total of 61 children with inflammatory bowel disease were approached, 44 participants were included according to their age (7-18 years), disease duration of at least 6 months, and without any other co-morbidities. A translated Arabic version of the IMPACT-III questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life of the participants with inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, disease-specific indices were used to measure their disease activity; Harvey Bradshaw for patients with Crohn's disease and Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index for ulcerative colitis patients.

Results

The mean age of the 44 participants was 13.36 ± 2.85. Crohn's disease accounted for 56.8% of the sample, while 36.4% had ulcerative colitis and 6.8% had unclassified type. The majority were males and in disease remission. The mean total score of the questionnaire was 74.10 ± 12.21, where the domain of social functioning scored the highest and the domain of emotional functioning scored the lowest. Children who are 11 years or older scored significantly higher in emotional functioning and total mean scores. Statistical significance was also observed between the well-being domain and not having flare-ups in the past year, as well as disease severity with emotional functioning, body image, and total mean scores. It was found that corticosteroid utilization is a predictor of poorer quality of life and was statistically significant with the body image domain.

Conclusion

Measuring the quality of life in children with inflammatory bowel disease can aid in reducing its burden and help address its factors.

Clinical Significance of Serum Elafin in Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

The role of elafin in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not been not elucidated. We aimed to evaluate serum elafin in children with IBD and assess its relationship with disease activity.

METHODS

We enrolled children with IBD in the study group and children with functional abdominal pain in the control group. We evaluated serum elafin using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

RESULTS

In children with IBD, serum elafin (mean ± SD: 4.192 ± 1.424 ng/mL) was significantly elevated compared with controls (mean ± SD: 3.029 ± 1.366 ng/mL) (p = 0.0005). Elafin was significantly increased in children in the active phase of IBD (mean ± SD: 4.424 ± 1.449 ng/mL) compared with the control group (p = 0.0003). In IBD remission, only children with ulcerative colitis (mean ± SD: 4.054 ± 1.536 ng/mL) had elevated elafin compared with controls (p = 0.004). ROC analysis revealed that the area under the curve (AUC) of serum elafin was 0.809 while discriminating patients with ulcerative colitis from the control group, and the AUC was 0.664 while differentiating patients with Crohn's disease from the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum elafin was found to be elevated in our cohort of children with IBD, depending on disease activity. Serum elafin was increased in the active phases of both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, but only in the remission of ulcerative colitis. Elafin appears to be a potential candidate for a biomarker of ulcerative colitis.

Gastrointestinal Disorders in Adolescents and Young Adults: Preparing for a Smooth Transition to Adult-Centered Care

Chronic gastrointestinal disorders are prevalent in youth worldwide. The chronicity of these conditions often results in their persistence into adulthood. Challenges typically faced by young people transitioning to adulthood are often exacerbated in those with chronic gastrointestinal disease. Increased awareness of these challenges among health care professionals and appropriate policies and procedures for health care transition are critical. This article summarizes research on the challenges faced by emerging adults with the gastrointestinal disease during the transition to adult care. Barriers to optimal transitional care and current guidelines are discussed and used to offer practical recommendations for health care professionals working with this population.

Quality of life in Malaysian children with inflammatory bowel disease: An understudied population

AIM

Quality of life (QoL) in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is often impaired by underlying disease. We evaluated factors affecting health-related QoL (HRQoL) in Malaysian children with IBD.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study using IMPACT-III questionnaires evaluating HRQoL in children aged 8-17 years with duration of IBD of ≥6 months was conducted. IMPACT-III, a validated instrument designed to measure HRQoL in children with IBD, was used. Higher IMPACT-III (maximum = 100) score indicates better HRQoL. Impact of socio-demographic and clinical factors of IBD on the HRQoL was evaluated. Paediatric Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) activity indices were used to classify disease severity.

RESULTS

A total of 75 children (UC = 44, CD = 41; mean (SD) age at diagnosis 8.2 (3.5) years) were interviewed at mean age of 12.8 (2.7) years. Mean IMPACT-III score was significantly lower in children with more severe disease (mild: 71.8 (13.6) vs. moderate: 65.5 (10.9) vs. severe: 46.3 (14.5); P < 0.001), history of hospitalisation (yes: 64.0 (14.0) vs. none: 74.1 (12.2), P = 0.034) and a higher number of admissions (r = -0.352, P = 0.041) in preceding 6 months. Diagnosis at a younger age (r = -0.31, P = 0.007) and a longer duration of disease (r = 0.286, P = 0.013) was associated with higher score. A higher weight-for-age (r = 0.261, P = 0.023) or body mass index-for-age z-score (r = 0.235, P = 0.042) was correlated with a better body image domain score, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In Malaysian children with IBD, HRQoL was adversely affected by a more severe disease. Better control of disease activity and maintaining long-term remission are important to improve the HRQoL in childhood IBD.

The Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Medical Home: A Proposed Model

Care for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be complex and costly. Care delivery models to address these challenges and improve care quality are essential. The patient-centered medical home (PCMH), which was developed in the primary care setting, has recently been applied successfully to the adult IBD population. Following the tenets of the PCMH, this specialty medical home (SMH) emphasizes team-based care that is accessible, comprehensive, patient/family-centered, coordinated, compassionate, and continuous and has demonstrated improved patient outcomes. Children and young adults with IBD have equally complex care needs, with additional challenges not faced by the adult population such as growth, physical and psychosocial development, and transition of care from pediatric to adult providers. Thus, we advocate that the components of the PCMH are equally-if not more-important in caring for the pediatric patient population. In this article, we review what is known about the application of the PCMH model in adult IBD care, describe care delivery within the Center for Pediatric and Adolescent IBD at Nationwide Children's Hospital as an example of a pediatric IBD medical home, and propose a research agenda to further the development and dissemination of comprehensive care delivery for children and adolescents with IBD.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Self-Management: Exploring Adolescent Use of an Online Instagram Support Community

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the challenges adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience with disease self-management as expressed in an online Instagram social support community. Public Instagram posts between January and December 2019 were manually collected from an online IBD support community. To focus on adolescent self-management needs, only posts from Instagram users who (1) indicated they had inflammatory bowel disease, (2) were 13-24 years old, or were in middle school, high school, or college were collected. Using thematic analysis, authors independently coded and identified emerging themes about self-management. Of 2,700 Instagram posts assessed for eligibility, 83 posts met inclusion criteria. Six major themes about inflammatory bowel disease self-management emerged: Desire for Normalcy, Dietary Changes, Education and Career, Healthcare System, Relationships With Others, and Symptoms and Complications. As the first thematic analysis of Instagram posts in an online inflammatory bowel disease community, results provide a crucial perspective of the concerns of adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease. Self-management challenges were wide-ranging and complex, underscoring the importance of IBD self-management in the adolescent population. Nurses should take a holistic approach to assess self-management challenges and tailor care to the specific needs of adolescents living with inflammatory bowel disease.

The Combined Effects of Youth and Parent Illness Intrusiveness on Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) presents physical and emotional challenges for families and imposes significant lifestyle intrusions on both youth and parents. The present study examined the effects of IBD disease activity and youth illness intrusiveness on depressive symptoms in adolescents, and the moderating influence of parent illness intrusiveness on these associations. Adolescents and parents completed measures of illness intrusiveness; youth completed a measure of depressive symptoms. Physicians provided estimates of IBD disease activity. Mediation analysis revealed an IBD disease activity → youth intrusiveness → youth depressive symptoms indirect effect. Moderated mediation analyses revealed this indirect effect to be greater among youth whose parents endorsed more IBD-related intrusions. Youth encountering greater activity disruptions related to IBD are vulnerable to depressive symptoms. When parents also experience IBD-induced intrusions, youth are at even greater risk for depressive symptoms. Clinical implications are discussed within the context of youths' and parents' experiences of IBD.

Transition of care of patients with eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases: Challenges and opportunities

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGID) are a group of allergen-mediated conditions which are characterized by eosinophilic inflammation affecting one or more parts of the gastrointestinal tract. A disproportionately higher number of EGID patients are diagnosed in the pediatric age group. Given the chronic course of EGIDs and lack of curative therapies at this time, majority of the pediatric EGID patients may require continued care well into their adulthood. However, to date, scant data are available regarding the health care transition (HCT), the transition of care (TC), and the effectiveness of transfer of care EGID patients from pediatric-oriented to adult-oriented providers. Herein, we review the lessons learnt from transfer of care of children with other chronic gastrointestinal and allergic conditions, analyze the current knowledge, potential barriers, the role of various stakeholders in successful transfer of care of EGID patients, propose a conceptual framework for HCT and TC of EGID patients, and identify outcome measures to ensure the quality of progression of care.

Perceived effect of pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases on academics, college planning, and college adjustment

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between perceived effect of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) on high school academics and college planning on college adjustment. Participants: Participants (N = 97) were college students with IBD. Methods: Participants completed an online survey including the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire and study-developed questions assessing the perceived impact of their diagnosis on their high school academics and college planning. Results: Most participants reported average college adjustment across domains, except personal-emotional adjustment with 47% of participants falling within the very low to low ranges. Nearly half reported IBD impacted their choice of college (49%). The impact of IBD on college planning was most consistently associated with domains of college adjustment. Conclusions: IBD severely impacts college planning, decision-making, and adjustment in college-bound youth. Perceiving that having a chronic illness impacts college planning may result in greater difficulty with academic adjustment, attachment to the institution, and social adjustment during college.

Outcomes of transitional care programs on adolescent chronic inflammatory systemic diseases: systematic review and meta-analyses

BACKGROUND

Patients with juvenile chronic inflammatory systemic diseases (jCID) are vulnerable to many circumstances when transitioning to adult-centered healthcare; this increases the burden of disease and worsen their quality of life.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus were searched from inception to March 16^th, 2021. We included observational, randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies that evaluated a transitional care program for adolescents and young adults with jCIDs. We extracted information regarding health-related quality of life, disease activity, drop-out rates, clinical attendance rates, hospital admission rates, disease-related knowledge, surgeries performed, drug toxicity and satisfaction rates.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies met our inclusion criteria. The implementation of transition programs showed a reduction on hospital admission rates for those with transition program (OR 0.28; 95% CI 0.13 to 0.61; I 2 = 0%; p = 0.97), rates of surgeries performed (OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.59; I 2 = 0%; p = 0.50) and drop-out rates from the adult clinic (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.46; I 2 = 0%; p = 0.88). No differences were found in other outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The available body of evidence supports the implementation of transition programs as it could be a determining factor to prevent hospital admission rates, surgeries needed and adult clinic attendance rates.

Stressor-Induced Increases in Circulating, but Not Colonic, Cytokines Are Related to Anxiety-like Behavior and Hippocampal Inflammation in a Murine Colitis Model

Stressor exposure increases colonic inflammation. Because inflammation leads to anxiety-like behavior, we tested whether stressor exposure in mice recovering from dextran-sulfate-sodium (DSS)-induced colitis enhances anxiety-like behavior. Mice received 2% DSS for five consecutive days prior to being exposed to a social-disruption (SDR) stressor (or being left undisturbed). After stressor exposure, their behavior was tested and colitis was assessed via histopathology and via inflammatory-cytokine measurement in the serum and colon. Cytokine and chemokine mRNA levels in the colon, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), hippocampus, and amygdala were measured with RT-PCR. SDR increased anxiety-like behaviors, which correlated with serum and hippocampal IL-17A. The stressor also reduced IL-1β, CCL2, and iNOS in the colonic tissue, but increased iNOS, IFNγ, IL-17A, and TNFα in the MLNs. A network analysis indicated that reductions in colonic iNOS were related to elevated MLN iNOS and IFNγ. These inflammatory markers were related to serum and hippocampal IL-17A and associated with anxiety-like behavior. Our data suggest that iNOS may protect against extra-colonic inflammation, and when suppressed during stress it is associated with elevated MLN IFNγ, which may coordinate gut-to-brain inflammation. Our data point to hippocampal IL-17A as a key correlate of anxiety-like behavior.

Systematic review: Psychosocial factors of resilience in young people with inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVE

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects a growing number of young people. While factors associated with poor disease experience in pediatric IBD have garnered much attention in the literature, less attention has focused on the factors associated with the resilient outcomes seen in the majority of young people with IBD. This review seeks to contribute to the literature by synthesizing research on the psychosocial factors that promote resilience in pediatric IBD and by offering future directions for the field.

METHODS

Systematic searches of the MEDLINE, Embase, PsychInfo, and CINAHL databases were performed for quantitative English-language studies with keywords for IBD, resilience or factors of resilience, and pediatric populations, with no date restrictions. Reference lists of all included articles were searched. Quality assessments were performed using an NIH tool.

RESULTS

Of 3315 articles identified, 17 were included. Studies were heterogeneous, with 19 psychosocial factors identified and analyzed for associations with over two dozen indicators of resilience. A narrative synthesis of included studies was performed. Study details were organized into three domains-individual, social, and family. Preliminary data indicate that resilience in pediatric IBD may be associated with positive body image, increased mindfulness, and improved social functioning, among other potential factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Resilience in pediatric IBD is largely unstudied. Only one study pursued an understanding of resilience as an aim, and no studies incorporated validated measures of resilience. Future prospective, theory-driven research is needed to elucidate the network of factors and mechanisms that can foster resilience in children and adolescents with IBD.

Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms Are Not Associated With Future Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity

BACKGROUND

Studies of adults with Crohn's disease (CD) suggest that poor mental health precedes worsening disease activity. We evaluated whether depression and/or anxiety forecast worsening pediatric CD disease activity.

METHODS

Through the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Partners Kids & Teens internet-based cohort, children with CD age 9 to 17 completed Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric measures and the short Crohn's disease activity index (sCDAI). Using general linear models, we examined how baseline PROMIS Pediatric anxiety and depressive symptom scores independently associate with subsequent sCDAI scores (average survey interval 6.4 months). Models included baseline PROMIS Pediatric anxiety and depressive symptoms scores, baseline sCDAI, sex, age, parental education, race/ethnicity, and prior IBD-related surgery. We performed a post hoc subanalysis of children in baseline remission (sCDAI <150) with otherwise identical models.

RESULTS

We analyzed 159 children with CD (mean age 14 years, 45% female, 84% in baseline remission). We found no association between baseline PROMIS Pediatric anxiety score and subsequent sCDAI (change in sCDAI for 3-point change in PROMIS Pediatric -0.89; 95% CI -4.81 to 3.03). Baseline PROMIS Pediatric depressive symptoms score was not associated with future sCDAI (change in sCDAI for 3-point change in PROMIS Pediatric <0.01; 95% CI -4.54 to 4.53). In a subanalysis of patients in remission at baseline, the lack of association remained.

CONCLUSION

We found that neither anxiety nor depressive symptoms associate with subsequent disease activity in pediatric CD. These findings contrast with adult IBD studies, thus underschoring the unique pathophysiology, natural history, and outcomes of pediatric CD.

Characterizing the Parental Perspective of Food-Related Quality of Life in Families After Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diagnosis

Food-related quality of life is defined as achieving adequate nutrition, deriving pleasure, and maintaining social activities through eating and drinking. The objective of this qualitative study was to characterize the parental perspective about eating experiences and family functioning after diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease in their child in order to describe how these experiences may impact food-related quality of life. Semistructured interviews were completed with 10 parents of a child with inflammatory bowel disease. Conventional content analysis was conducted with steps to ensure trustworthiness. Family Systems Theory was the interpretive framework. Ambiguous nutrition information emerged as the main theme. Families experienced various and conflicting viewpoints regarding the role of diet, which presented a challenge after diagnosis. Parents reported frustration regarding the lack of uniform and personalized nutrition guidance. Our results support that families desire shared decision-making in regard to medication and diet, which is an important clinical practice implication for the entire gastroenterology medical team. Understanding the challenges faced by families after a major medical diagnosis in a child provides insight into designing medical interventions that maintain optimal quality of life in families.

[Pediatric-onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease: What Are Different from Adult in the Treatment?]

Pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease differs from adults in its epidemiological and clinical characteristics and courses. Since it is diagnosed at a young age, the duration of the disease is relatively longer than in adults. Therefore, it is necessary to select drugs in consideration of long-term risks and benefits, and efforts such as therapeutic drug monitoring to maximize the treatment effects and minimize side effects are required. In addition, special considerations for treating pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease include attention to the effects of the disease on growth and development, nutrition, and psychosocial problems. In children, more aggressive treatment is needed to avoid missing therapeutic window of opportunity during periods of rapid growth and development. Finally, efforts should be made to ensure that the therapeutic goals of mucosal healing are achieved, the quality of life is restored, and the transition to adult therapy is well carried out.

Mindfulness-Based Virtual Reality Intervention for Children and Young Adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Pilot Feasibility and Acceptability Study

The aim of this pilot study was to assess: (1) the feasibility and acceptability of a Mindfulness-Based Virtual Reality (MBVR) intervention among children and young adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and (2) the preliminary efficacy of MBVR on key psychological (anxiety) and physical (pain) outcomes. Participants were 62 children to young adults with IBD (M = 15.6 years; 69.4% Crohn's disease; 58% male) recruited from an outpatient pediatric IBD clinic. Participants completed a baseline assessment, underwent the 6-min MBVR intervention, completed a post-intervention assessment and study satisfaction survey, and provided qualitative feedback. Results suggest strong feasibility and acceptability. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with MBVR including high levels of enjoyment (M = 4.38; range 1-5) and relaxation (M = 4.35; range 1-5). Qualitative data revealed several key themes including participants interest in using MBVR in IBD medical settings (e.g., hospitalizations, IBD procedures, IBD treatments), as well as in their daily lives to support stress and symptom management. Preliminary analyses demonstrated improvements in anxiety (t = 4.79, p = 0.001) and pain (t = 3.72, p < 0.001) following MBVR. These findings provide initial support for the feasibility and acceptability of MBVR among children and young adults with IBD. Results also suggest MBVR may improve key IBD outcomes (e.g., anxiety, pain) and highlight the importance of conducting a randomized controlled trial and more rigorous research to determine intervention efficacy.

Applying Telemedicine to Multidisciplinary Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care

Multidisciplinary care is essential to the delivery of comprehensive, whole-person care for children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Team members may include medical, psychosocial, and ancillary providers as well as patient and family advocates. There is significant variability in how this care is delivered from center to center, though prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, most care occurred during in-person visits. At the onset of the pandemic, medical systems world-wide were challenged to continue delivering high quality, comprehensive care, requiring many centers to turn to telemedicine technology. The aim of this manuscript is to describe the process by which we converted our multidisciplinary pediatric and adolescent IBD visits to a telemedicine model by leveraging technology, a multidisciplinary team, and quality improvement (QI) methods. Finally, we put our experience into context by summarizing the literature on telemedicine in IBD care, with a focus on pediatrics and multidisciplinary care.

Systematic Review: Psychosocial Correlates of Pain in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

Pain is a common symptom in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and is associated with poor health outcomes, yet additional knowledge about the psychosocial correlates of pain is needed to optimize clinical care. The purpose of this study is to systematically review the psychosocial factors associated with pain and pain impact in youth diagnosed with IBD within a developmentally informed framework.

METHODS

Manual and electronic searches yielded 2641 references. Two authors conducted screening (98% agreement), and data extraction was performed in duplicate. Average study quality was rated using the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool.

RESULTS

Ten studies (N = 763 patients; N = 563 Crohn disease, N = 200 ulcerative/ indeterminate colitis) met the inclusion criteria. Findings showed consistent evidence that higher levels of child depression symptoms and child pain catastrophizing were associated with significantly greater pain and pain impact (magnitude of association ranged from small to large across studies). Greater pain and pain impact were also associated with higher levels of child anxiety symptoms, child pain threat, child pain worry, and parent pain catastrophizing. Within the included studies, female sex and disease severity were both significantly associated with pain and pain impact. Study quality was moderate on average.

CONCLUSIONS

There is evidence that child psychosocial factors are associated with pain and pain impact in pediatric IBD; more studies are needed to examine parent- and family-level psychosocial factors. Youth with IBD should be routinely screened for pain severity, pain impact, and psychosocial risk factors such as anxiety/depression.

Leveraging Institutional Support to Build an Integrated Multidisciplinary Care Model in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

While the biopsychosocial nature of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is now well accepted by clinicians, the need for integrated multidisciplinary care is not always clear to institutional administrators who serve as decision makers regarding resources provided to clinical programs. In this commentary, we draw on our own experience in building successful integrated care models within a division of pediatric gastroenterology (GI) to highlight key considerations in garnering initial approval, as well as methods to maintain institutional support over time. Specifically, we discuss the importance of making a strong case for the inclusion of a psychologist in pediatric IBD care, justifying an integrated model for delivering care, and addressing finances at the program level. Further, we review the benefit of collecting and reporting program data to support the existing literature and/or theoretical projections, demonstrate outcomes, and build alternative value streams recognized by the institution (e.g., academic, reputation) alongside the value to patients. Ultimately, success in garnering and maintaining institutional support necessitates moving from the theoretical to the practical, while continually framing discussion for a nonclinical/administrative audience. While the process can be time-consuming, ultimately it is worth the effort, enhancing the care experience for both patients and clinicians.

Growth Delay in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Significance, Causes, and Management

Growth delay with height and weight impairment is a common feature of pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (PIBD). Up to 2/3 of Crohn Disease patients have impaired weight at diagnosis, and up to 1/3 have impaired height. Ulcerative colitis usually manifests earlier with less impaired growth, though patients can be affected. Ultimately, growth delay, if not corrected, can reduce final adult height. Weight loss, reduced bone mass, and pubertal delay are also concerns associated with growth delay in newly diagnosed PIBD patients. The mechanisms for growth delay in IBD are multifactorial and include reduced nutrient intake, poor absorption, increased fecal losses, as well as direct effects from inflammation and treatment modalities. Management of growth delay requires optimal disease control. Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN), biologic therapy, and corticosteroids are the primary induction strategies used in PIBD, and both EEN and biologics positively impact growth and bone development. Beyond adequate disease control, growth delay and pubertal delay require a multidisciplinary approach, dependent on diligent monitoring and identification, nutritional rehabilitation, and involvement of endocrinology and psychiatry services as needed. Pitfalls that clinicians may encounter when managing growth delay include refeeding syndrome, obesity (even in the setting of malnutrition), and restrictive diets. Although treatment of PIBD has improved substantially in the last several decades with the era of biologic therapies and EEN, there is still much to be learned about growth delay in PIBD in order to improve outcomes.

Empowered transitions: Understanding the experience of transitioning from pediatric to adult care among adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease and their parents using photovoice

OBJECTIVE

To identify barriers and facilitators of pediatric to adult transitions among adolescents with IBD and their parents.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used photovoice to explore adolescent and parent perspectives on transitions in IBD care. Adolescents with IBD aged 14-23 and their parents were recruited from an urban IBD center during clinic visits. Participants completed a survey, took photos, participated in a semi-structured interview, and optionally participated in a focus group. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Two analysts coded interview data for themes using MAXQDA software.

RESULTS

Thirteen adolescents and eleven parents submitted photos and participated in an interview. The mean patient age was 19.0 ± 3.0. The mean parent age was 51.5 ± 5.4. Eleven (84.6%) adolescents were Caucasian; 12 (92.3%) privately insured; 4 (30.8%) in high school, 5 (38.4%) in college, and 4 (30.8%) in the workforce. Adolescent transition-readiness, resilience, and IBD-related self-efficacy scores were relatively high, with high agreement between patient self-report and parent-reported children's resilience; parents over-estimated their children's IBD-related self-efficacy. Participants discussed barriers to transitions including psychological distress, disease uncertainty, gut-brain axis-related issues, a lack of understanding by people unaffected by IBD, and frequent life disruptions. Facilitators of transitions included having a disease narrative, deliberately shifting responsibility for disease management tasks, positivity/optimism, social support, engagement with the IBD community, and mental health support.

CONCLUSION

Attention to psychosocial issues is warranted during the transition process from pediatric to adult IBD care, specifically related to understanding the gut-brain axis and accessing resources to optimize mental health and well-being among transition-aged adolescents and their caregivers.

Illness Stigma, Worry, Intrusiveness, and Depressive Symptoms in Youth With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

Youth who experience IBD-associated stigma may manifest increased worry about aversive symptoms that can intrude on their participation in routine activities (eg, school, social events), potentially resulting in limited opportunities for reinforcement and increased depressive symptoms. The present study examined an IBD stigma → IBD worry → illness intrusiveness → depressive symptoms serial mediation model, in which stigma was hypothesized to confer an indirect effect on youth depressive symptoms through the serial effects of stigma on IBD worry and illness intrusiveness.

METHODS

Youth with IBD (N = 90) between the ages of 10 and 18 years were recruited from a pediatric gastroenterology clinic and completed measures of IBD stigma, IBD worry, illness intrusiveness, and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

In addition to several independent direct effects among the modeled variables, results revealed a significant IBD stigma → IBD worry → illness intrusiveness → depressive symptoms serial mediation path (effect = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.22 to 1.20), controlling for youth sex and IBD severity.

CONCLUSIONS

The experience of IBD-related stigma may prompt increased worry about IBD symptoms, independent of the influence of disease activity. Further, heightened worry appears to amplify youths' experience of IBD-imposed limitations on routine and rewarding activities, increasing their risk for experiencing depressive symptoms. Our findings highlight the importance of regular screening for depressive symptoms, as well as the identification of potential risk factors associated with emotional adjustment difficulties. Stigma-specific treatment modules could be integrated within existing cognitive-behavioral approaches for reducing worry and depressive symptoms in youth with IBD.

Clinical Hypnosis in Pediatric Crohn's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to implement clinical hypnosis (CH) as an adjunctive therapy for adolescents with Crohn's disease (CD) and to assess the impact of CH on quality of life (QoL), abdominal pain, psychosocial measures, and disease activity compared with standard care.

METHODS

Forty adolescents with CD were randomized to a hypnosis intervention (HI) or waitlist control (WC) group. The intervention consisted of 1 in-person CH session, self-hypnosis education, and recordings for home practice. Data was collected at baseline, after the 8-week intervention, and at week 16. The primary outcome was patient- and parent-reported QoL; secondary outcomes were patient-reported abdominal pain, depression, anxiety, and sleep; school absences; and disease activity by Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index. Paired and independent t-tests were used to compare differences from baseline to postintervention within and between groups.

RESULTS

Forty patients (50% girls, mean 15.8 years) were enrolled from February to May 2019. Seventy-eight percent had inactive disease, and 55% had abdominal pain. Post intervention, significant improvements were noted in HI parent-reported QoL compared with WC in total score (P = 0.05), social functioning (P = 0.01), and school functioning (P = 0.04) but patient-reported QoL was unchanged. Abdominal pain severity significantly improved in HI compared with WC (P = 0.03). School absences decreased in significantly more intervention than control patients (P = 0.01). Patients who practiced self-hypnosis consistently showed a trend toward greater QoL improvement than those who did not (P = 0.1).

CONCLUSIONS

CH is an acceptable and feasible adjunct in CD and may improve psychosocial QoL and abdominal pain. Further research is warranted.

Transition of inflammatory bowel disease patients from pediatric to adult care: an observational study on a joint-visits approach

Background

Transition from pediatric to adult care of patients affected by Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a critical step that needs specific care and multidisciplinary involvement. The aim of our study was to evaluate the outcome of the transition process of a cohort of IBD patients, exploring their readiness and the possible impact on quality of life.

Methods

This observational study followed transitioned IBD patients from pediatric to adult care. Transition was carried-out through combined visits, jointly performed by the pediatrician and the adult gastroenterologist. Clinical data were collected before and after transition. A subgroup of patients was submitted to an anonymous online questionnaire of 38 items based on the validated questionnaires TRAQ and SIBDQ within the first 6 months from the beginning of the transition process.

Results

Eighty-two patients with IBD were enrolled, with a mean age at transition of 20.2±2.7 years. Before transition, 40.2% of patients already had major surgery and 64.6% started biologics. At transition, 24% of patients were in moderate to severe active phase of their disease and 40% of them had already been treated with ≥ 2 biologics. The mean score of the TRAQ questionnaires collected is 3.4±1.5 and the mean score of SIBDQ is 53.9±9.8. A significant association was found between a TRAQ mean score > 3 and a SIBDQ > 50 (p=0.0129). Overall, 75% of patients had a positive opinion of the transition model adopted.

Conclusions

A strong association has been found between TRAQ and SIBDQ questionnaires, showing how transition readiness has a direct impact on the quality of life of the young adult with IBD.

Stigma by Association: Parent Stigma and Youth Adjustment in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

OBJECTIVE

Examine the indirect association between parents' experience of stigma (i.e., associative stigma) and youth depressive symptoms through the serial effects of associative stigma on parent and youth illness intrusiveness in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS

During routine clinic visits, 150 youth with well-controlled IBD (ages 10-18 years) completed measures of perceived illness intrusiveness and depressive symptoms. Parents completed measures of associative stigma and illness intrusiveness. Pediatric gastroenterologists provided ratings of IBD disease severity.

RESULTS

Structural equation modeling revealed significant direct associations for associative stigma → parent illness intrusiveness, parent illness intrusiveness → youth illness intrusiveness, and youth illness intrusiveness → youth depressive symptoms. Results also revealed a significant associative stigma → parent illness intrusiveness → youth illness intrusiveness→ youth depressive symptoms serial mediation path, indicating that parents' experience of associative stigma indirectly influenced youth depressive symptoms through its sequential effects on parent and youth perceived illness intrusiveness.

CONCLUSIONS

Parents who face stigma related to their child's IBD (i.e., associative stigma) are more likely to experience IBD-induced lifestyle intrusions (i.e., illness intrusiveness), which in turn is associated with youths' illness intrusiveness and ultimately youth depressive symptoms. These findings provide further evidence for the important role of illness-related stigma in pediatric IBD, particularly the transactional relation between parents' associative stigma and youths' illness appraisals and emotional functioning. The clinical implications of our results for addressing adjustment difficulties in youth with IBD are also discussed.

Subjective Psychophysical Experiences in the Course of Inflammatory Bowel Disease-A Comparative Analysis Based on the Polish Pediatric Crohn's and Colitis Cohort (POCOCO)

No gold standard is available to evaluate subjective psychophysical experiences in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to assess pain, anxiety, and limitations in social activities at diagnosis and the worst flare of the disease in relation to clinical expression, treatment and IBD severity. A total of 376 children completed the survey (Crohn’s disease (CD) n = 196; ulcerative colitis (UC) n = 180). The questionnaire included 12 questions regarding pain, anxiety, and social activity, all assessed at recruitment and retrospectively at diagnosis and worst flare using a numeric rating scale. Patients that had ever been treated with systemic glucocorticosteroids scored higher in pain (p < 0.001), anxiety (p = 0.015), and social activity domains (p < 0.016) at worst flare, and the answers correlated with the number of steroid courses (p < 0.0392). The perception of social activity limitations also correlated independently with the number of immunosuppressants (p < 0.0433) and biological agents (p < 0.0494). There was no difference in retrospective perception of pain, anxiety and social activity limitations between CD and UC patients at diagnosis and the worst flare. The level of limitations in social activity correlated with hospitalisations due to relapse, days spent in the hospital, number of relapses, and severe relapses with the strongest association of rho = 0.39 (p = 0.0004). Subjective and retrospective perception of pain, anxiety, and limitations in social activity differs depending on therapy, correlates with treatment modalities, and severity measures such as hospitalisations.

Perianal lesions as an unusual first manifestation of Crohn's disease in pediatric patients - case series

Primary symptoms of Crohn's disease usually include, among others, abdominal pain and cramping, recurrent diarrhea, fever and weight loss. The aim of this study was to show the effectiveness of ultrasound in the diagnosis and assessment of the extent of perianal complications in Crohn's disease. Five patients (four boys and one girl) aged from 13 to 16 years, with prolonged pain in the perianal area, which worsened when sitting, were admitted to the Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology between 2017 and 2019. Each patient underwent intestinal ultrasound with a high frequency 7-12 MHz linear probe and transperineal ultrasound to assess the anal canal and the surrounding soft tissues. In each case, the echogenicity of the bowel wall was assessed for mural stratification and possible thickening. Anorectal fistulas were detected in all the five patients. Three patients (12 y.o. male, 12 y.o. female and 16 y.o. male) presented with perianal abscesses drained by fistulas. In the first patient the fistula was limited to the perianal soft tissue (22 × 23 mm); in the second patient it was localized within the ischioanal region (40 × 50 mm); and in the third patient (5-6 mm abscess) the fistula was with a hypoechoic fistulous tract reaching the sphincter. All of the patients were eventually diagnosed with Crohn's disease as a result of further clinical workup. Ultrasound examination is a non-invasive, well-tolerated modality for the evaluation of Crohn's disease activity and its possible complications, e.g. fistulas and abscesses. Ultrasound is especially useful in patients who require repeated follow-up investigations.

Abdominal Pain After Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diagnosis: Results From the ImproveCareNow Network

OBJECTIVES

Although abdominal pain is a hallmark symptom of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), limited research has examined pain during the first year after diagnosis. The purpose of the present study is to examine prevalence, predictors, and impact of abdominal pain during the 12 months after pediatric IBD diagnosis using data from the ImproveCareNow (ICN) Network.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Participants consisted of 13,875 youth (age 8-18 years, 44% female, 81% Caucasian) with IBD (65% Crohn's disease; 27% ulcerative colitis, 8% indeterminate colitis) enrolled in the ICN Network with data from clinic visits during the first year after diagnosis (1-22 visits; mean = 3.7). Multivariable mixed effects logistic regression models were conducted to analyze the presence versus the absence of abdominal pain, activity limitations, and decrements in well-being.

RESULTS

The percentage of youth reporting abdominal pain decreased significantly during the first year after diagnosis and yet a sizeable group reported continued pain at 12 months (55.9% at diagnosis; 34.0% at 12 months). Multivariable analyses revealed that greater time since diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] = 0.98, P < 0.001), higher disease severity (OR = 11.84, P < 0.001), presence of psychosocial risk factors (OR = 2.33, P = 0.036), and female sex (OR = 1.90, P < 0.010) were significant correlates of continuing abdominal pain. Abdominal pain was significantly associated with decrements in well-being (OR = 5.11, P < 0.001) as well as limitations in activity (OR = 9.31, P < 0.001), over and above the influence of disease severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Abdominal pain is prevalent and impactful, even when controlling for disease activity, during the first year after pediatric IBD diagnosis. Results from the present study can inform screening and tailored pain management intervention efforts in pediatric IBD.

Parent and Family Functioning in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Although the impact of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) extends beyond the patient to their parents and families, the focus of previous literature has largely been on investigating the patient’s medical and psychosocial functioning, with less consideration of the family system. Having a comprehensive understanding of parent and family functioning within the context of pediatric IBD is important given the role parents and family members have in the successful management of the disease and caring of the child. The current review paper aggregates the empirical research regarding parent and family functioning, including comparisons to normative samples, other illness groups, and how functioning relates to child psychosocial and health outcomes. Extant literature on parents and families in pediatric IBD has largely focused on the variables of parenting stress, parent psychosocial functioning, parent quality of life, and family functioning. Summary findings elucidate the complex relationships between parents, families, and children affected by IBD and highlight the importance of assessing parent and family functioning within pediatric IBD. The current review also offers implications for clinical practice, notes the limitations of the present literature, and provides recommendations for future research.

Real-world experiences with generating real-world evidence: Case Studies from PCORI's pragmatic clinical Studies program

BACKGROUND

Over the last decade, randomized studies evaluating outcomes of health care interventions conducted in real-world settings-often termed "pragmatic trials"-have come to be seen as an important means of obtaining relevant, actionable evidence to guide health care decisions. Despite extensive writing on methodological considerations in pragmatic trial design, limited information exists regarding the practical and logistical challenges encountered in carrying out rigorous randomized evaluations in highly representative, real-world contexts.

METHODS

The Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) convened an expert panel in 2017 to examine common tradeoffs in study design and implementation through 3 "case studies" of in-progress, PCORI-funded pragmatic trials. This paper summarizes the findings of this panel, using the 3 examples to illustrate common implementation challenges encountered in pragmatic trials.

RESULTS

Investigators aimed to generate highly generalizable findings that could address real-world clinical decisions; however, practical considerations required that each study incorporate traditionally "explanatory" elements to achieve a "fit-for-purpose" approach to design and implementation. Within individual studies, efforts to balance pragmatic versus explanatory perspectives often involved multiple, diverse aspects of trial design and implementation, and the aspects of design and implementation where investigators reported encountering such tradeoffs varied across the three cases we examined.

CONCLUSIONS

Efforts to generate rigorous evidence that is generalizable to "real-world" practice require continuous and iterative efforts to balance "pragmatic" and "explanatory" perspectives. In each study examined, these tradeoffs were guided both by an overriding effort to maintain pragmatism and practical considerations that varied depending on the research question and study context.

Black/African American Patients with Pediatric Crohn's Disease Report Less Anxiety and Fatigue than White Patients

OBJECTIVES

To compare patient-reported outcomes in black/African American patients with white patients participating in IBD Partners Kids & Teens, in order to identify possible racial healthcare disparities in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as future targets for improvement.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional analysis comparing patient-reported outcomes in black/African American patients with white patients, aged 9-18 years, with IBD participating in the IBD Partners Kids & Teens cohort from August 2013 to April 2018. Secondary outcomes included number of IBD-related hospitalizations and surgeries, current medication use, and disease activity.

RESULTS

We included 401 patients with Crohn's disease (white = 378 [94%]; black/African American = 23 [6%]). For children with Crohn's disease, black/African American patients compared with white patients reported less anxiety (40.7 vs 47.5, P = .001) and fatigue (44.3 vs 48.4, P = .047) despite more frequently reported treatment with biologics (91% vs 61%, P = .006) and antibiotics (17% vs 5%, P = .03) and history of hospitalizations (81% vs 52%, P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

Black/African American children with Crohn's disease were less likely to report anxiety or fatigue than white patients, despite an apparent more severe disease course reflected by greater reported frequency of treatment with biologics and antibiotics and history of hospitalizations.

Promoting Emotional Well-being in Hospitalized Children and Adolescents With Virtual Reality: Usability and Acceptability of a Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study was to describe and compare small-sized preliminary data on the usability and acceptability of a randomized controlled trial. This study compares a one-to-one cognitive-behavioral treatment and a virtual reality treatment for children and adolescents hospitalized for long-term physical conditions. The final sample was composed of 19 children and adolescents with chronic illness who were hospitalized. The sample was randomly allocated to two intervention groups: cognitive-behavioral usual treatment and virtual reality-based treatment. Participants in the virtual reality group demonstrated higher perceived efficacy scores for every treatment component than for traditional treatment. Statistically significant differences were found for the total usability and acceptability scores. Participants in the virtual reality group show high acceptability of all the virtual environments. The components and environments of virtual reality were well accepted. The virtual reality program received high scores in immersion, feasibility of use, and sense of reality. Technology-based treatments, that is, virtual reality, can provide motivational benefits in relation to traditional treatments.

Sustaining, Forming, and Letting Go of Friendships for Young People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): A Qualitative Interview-Based Study

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an incurable, chronic, gastrointestinal condition that can constrain young people's social relationships. Few studies have specifically explored friendships of people with IBD. This qualitative, participatory study used interviews, photographs, and friendship maps to explore friendships and friendship networks of young people with IBD. An online Young Person's Advisory Group was actively engaged throughout the study. Thirty-one young people participated (n = 16 males, n = 15 female; n = 24 Crohn's disease, n = 6 ulcerative colitis, n = 1 IBD-unclassified; the mean age at study was 18.7 years; range 14-25 years). Findings present a metatheme “The importance and meaning of friendships” and three interwoven subthemes of “Sustaining friendships,” “Forming new friendships,” and “Letting go of friendships.” Friendship was important to the young people with IBD, providing support, but associated with challenges such as disclosure. Such challenges could be mitigated by clearer conversations with clinicians about friendships and more extensive conversations about friendships and long-term conditions in education settings.

Gaps Exist in the Comprehensive Care of Children with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

OBJECTIVES

To describe patterns of primary and specialty care delivery in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), delineate which members of the healthcare team provided services, and identify gaps in care.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey of parents of children (2-17 years) with IBD and adolescents with IBD (13-17 years) at a free-standing, quaternary children's hospital regarding healthcare receipt.

RESULTS

There were 161 parents and 84 adolescents who responded to the survey (75% and 60% response, respectively). The mean patient age was 14 ± 3 years, 51% were male, 80% had Crohn's disease, 16% ulcerative colitis, and 4% IBD-unspecified. Most parents were white (94%), living in a suburban setting (57%). Sixty-nine percent of households had ≥1 parent with a bachelor's degree or higher. Most had private insurance (43%) or private primary with public secondary insurance (34%). Most patients received annual check-ups (70%), vaccinations (78%), and care for minor illnesses (74%) from their primary care provider. Check-ups for gastrointestinal symptoms, IBD monitoring, and changes in type/dosing of IBD treatment were provided by their gastroenterology provider (77%, 93%, and 86% of patients, respectively). Discussions about family/peer relationships, school/extracurricular activities, and mood were not addressed in 30%-40% of participants. Adolescents frequently reported that no one had talked to them about substance use (40%), sexual health (50%), or body image (60%); 75% of adolescents and 76% of their parents reported that no one had discussed transitioning to an adult provider.

CONCLUSIONS

There were gaps in the psychosocial care of pediatric patients with IBD. Coordinated, comprehensive care delivery models are needed.

A murine model of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease causes microbiota-gut-brain axis deficits in adulthood

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic intestinal diseases, frequently associated with comorbid psychological and cognitive deficits. These neuropsychiatric effects include anxiety, depression, and memory impairments that can be seen both during active disease and following remission and are more frequently seen in pediatric patients. The mechanism(s) through which these extraintestinal deficits develop remain unknown, and the study of these phenomenon is hampered by a lack of murine pediatric IBD models. Herein we describe microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis deficits following induction of colitis in a pediatric setting. Acute colitis was induced by administration of 2% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) for 5 days starting at weaning [postnatal day (P)21] causing reduced weight gain, colonic shortening, and colonic inflammation by 8 days post-DSS (P29), which were mostly resolved in adult (P56) mice. Despite resolution of acute disease, cognitive deficits (novel object recognition task) and anxiety-like behavior (light/dark box) were identified in the absence of changes in exploratory behavior (open field test) in P56 mice previously treated with DSS at weaning. Behavioral deficits were found in conjunction with neuroinflammation, decreased neurogenesis, and altered expression of pattern recognition receptor genes in the hippocampus. Additionally, persistent alterations in the gut microbiota composition were observed at P56, including reduced butyrate-producing species. Taken together, these results describe for the first time the presence of MGB axis deficits following induction of colitis at weaning, which persist in adulthood.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Here we describe long-lasting impacts on the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis following administration of low-dose dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) to weaning mice (P21), including gut dysbiosis, colonic inflammation, and brain/behavioral deficits in adulthood (P56). Early-life DSS leads to acute colonic inflammation, similar to adult mice; however, it results in long-lasting deficits in the MGB axis in adulthood (P56), in contrast to the transient deficits seen in adult DSS. This model highlights the unique features of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.

Caregiver and Adolescent Patient Perspectives on Comprehensive Care for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Building a Family-Centered Care Delivery Model

BACKGROUND

Children with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) require primary and gastrointestinal (GI) care, but little is known about patient and family preferences for care receipt. We aimed to understand caregiver perceptions of current healthcare quality, describe barriers to receiving healthcare, and elicit caregiver and adolescent preferences for how comprehensive care ideally would be delivered.

METHODS

This was an anonymous survey of caregivers of 2- to 17-year olds with IBD and adolescents with IBD aged 13-17 years at a large, free-standing children's hospital. Surveys assessed patient medical history, family demographics, perceptions of health care quality and delivery, barriers to primary and GI care, and preferences for optimal care delivery.

RESULTS

Two hundred and seventeen caregivers and 140 adolescents were recruited, 214 caregivers and 133 adolescents consented/assented, and 160 caregivers and 84 adolescents completed the survey (75% and 60% response rate, respectively). Mean patient age was 14 years (SD = 3); 51% male; 79% Crohn's disease, 16% ulcerative colitis, and 4% indeterminate colitis. Caregivers were primarily female (86%), Caucasian (94%), and living in a 2-caregiver household (79%). Most caregivers reported that their child's primary care physician (PCP) and GI doctor oversaw their primary care (71%) and their IBD care (94%), respectively. Caregivers were satisfied with communication with their PCP and GI providers (>90%) but did not know how well they communicated with one another (54%). Barriers to primary and GI care varied, and few caregivers (6%) reported unmet healthcare needs. Caregivers and adolescents saw PCPs and GI doctors having important roles in comprehensive care, though specific preferences for care delivery differed.

CONCLUSION

Caregivers and adolescent perspectives are essential to developing family-centered care models for children with IBD.

Child and Family Perspectives on Adjustment to and Coping With Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

OBJECTIVES

Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk for poor mental health. The etiology of this risk is not clear, though may be related to the disease, its treatment, and/or the experience of these. We sought to describe the challenges that children with IBD and their families face in living with a chronic condition and undergoing repeated intravenous infusions; and identify coping mechanisms to understand how medical systems may support resilience.

METHODS

Semistructured qualitative interviews with 18 patient-guardian dyads at a tertiary outpatient infusion center, explored feelings related to IBD, the infusion process, and coping. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed in ATLAS.ti. Two coders identified themes; developed a codebook and coded transcripts using the constant comparative method; and described themes/patterns.

RESULTS

Participants identified challenges related to IBD (unpredictable nature, disrupted normalcy, treatment decisions, managing relationships, life transitions) and a subset of challenges related to the infusion procedure (anxiety of unknown, managing pain/anxiety during IV placement, logistics). Participants coped through social support, cognitive strategies (positive attitude) and/or behavioral strategies for managing emotions (preparation for intravenous [IV] placement), and confidence in the medical care. By employing these coping strategies, participants came to accept IBD, adapt to the "new norm," and learned life lessons and resilience.

CONCLUSIONS

To support coping, clinical teams might provide anticipatory guidance to decrease anxiety of the unknown and identify cognitive-behavioral strategies for managing emotions. Delivery systems that build relationships, maintain normalcy, and consider needs of the family may further facilitate coping.

Stigma and Disclosure in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Stigma in patients suffering from chronic disease is associated with worse clinical outcomes and secondary medical issues such as depression, anxiety, and decreased quality of life. We believe various forms of stigma can have different clinical significance in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). With further insight and research, we suggest that these forms of stigma could be identified and targeted by researchers or clinicians to lessen the psychological disease burden in patients and to potentially improve their physical well-being. In the current review, we discuss public perceptions, knowledge, and stigmatization of IBD, the prevalence of various forms of IBD stigma, and the impact of such stigma on patient outcomes. We also discuss IBD disclosure, its association with stigma, and the tendencies and effects of such disclosures among youth and adult patient populations. We finish the review by highlighting possible modalities and research areas for future IBD interventions.

Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Impact and Predictive Factors

PURPOSE

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children and adolescents is associated with high morbidity and possibly has a significant negative impact on their quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life of children and adolescents with IBD and define the variables that impact these individuals.

METHODS

We administered the Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire (PedsQL) to 35 children and adolescents diagnosed with IBD and with available quantitative data from clinical records on epidemiology, clinical evolution, complementary tests, medical interventions, and disease activity. Data were evaluated according to the IBD type and compared with a control group of healthy children.

RESULTS

The study group showed a significantly lower PedsQL score than the control group (p<0.01). Significant factors contributing to poor overall quality of life included female sex, Crohn's disease, surgery, and food restrictions. Symptoms such as diarrhea and the fear of using public toilets were associated with low physical scores. Feeling sick had a negative impact on the emotional PedsQL scores. Patients with a fear of using public toilets, anthropometric scores below the 3rd percentile, and greater disease activity scored lower in the social domain. Regarding school and psychosocial evaluations, younger children with symptom onset after the age of 2 years had lower scores than younger children with symptom onset before the age of 2 years.

CONCLUSION

IBD negatively affects the quality of life of children and adolescents based on its impact on the physical, emotional, social, and psychosocial statuses of these patients.