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Abstract
Constipation is a common challenge in pediatrics. Abdominal radiographs are frequently taken in the pediatric emergency department for diagnosis despite their inadequate reliability to detect the pathology or the degree of constipation. Misdiagnosis of constipation may cause multiple vague physician visits, deployment of emergency medical services, use of radiation, unnecessary laboratory tests, and even surgical procedures. The primary evidence-based suggestions are based on published guidelines that include management of constipation in children divided into three stages of therapy: (1) disimpaction, (2) maintenance therapy, and (3) behavior modification, and special care should be given to neonates and to children with pre-existing medical problems.
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2
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Judd-Glossy L, Ariefdjohan M, Ketzer J, Curry S, Schletker J, Edmonds T, Krause A, Simmons H, Pena A, De La Torre L, Bischoff A. Analysis of patients' and caregivers' psychosocial functioning in colorectal conditions: comparison of diagnosis, gender, and developmental functioning. Pediatr Surg Int 2021; 37:437-444. [PMID: 33423102 DOI: 10.1007/s00383-020-04836-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the psychosocial functioning of caregivers and patients with anorectal malformation (ARM), Hirschsprung disease (HD), spinal conditions, and idiopathic constipation (IC) during the beginning of participation in bowel management program (BMP). METHODS In this retrospective study, Parent Stress Scale (PSS, parent-report) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ, parent-proxy; SDQ-S, self-report for 11 years and older) were used to evaluate parental stress levels and behavioral functioning, respectively. Descriptive and comparative statistical approaches were applied to summarize the data and to determine differences in scores between diagnoses, gender, and developmental functioning. RESULTS Two hundred patients and caregivers participated in BMP during the study period. PSS scores were significantly higher for caregivers of patients with IC than ARM. Statistical differences in SDQ were found for patients with IC versus those with ARM, male versus female patients, and patients with developmental delays versus those without delays. No significant differences were found in SDQ-S scores between these groups. CONCLUSION Key findings suggest that level of parental stress and behavioral concerns were significantly influenced by diagnoses, and partly by gender and presence of developmental delay. Thus, psychosocial support may need to be tailored based on these findings to provide optimum quality of care for patients and families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Judd-Glossy
- Department of Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13123 E. 16th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA. .,Pediatric Mental Health Institute, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA. .,International Center for Colorectal and Urogenital Care, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Merlin Ariefdjohan
- Department of Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13123 E. 16th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.,Pediatric Mental Health Institute, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jill Ketzer
- International Center for Colorectal and Urogenital Care, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Stefanie Curry
- International Center for Colorectal and Urogenital Care, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Julie Schletker
- International Center for Colorectal and Urogenital Care, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Tiffany Edmonds
- International Center for Colorectal and Urogenital Care, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Amy Krause
- International Center for Colorectal and Urogenital Care, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Hope Simmons
- International Center for Colorectal and Urogenital Care, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Alberto Pena
- International Center for Colorectal and Urogenital Care, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Luis De La Torre
- International Center for Colorectal and Urogenital Care, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Andrea Bischoff
- International Center for Colorectal and Urogenital Care, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
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Avelar Rodriguez D, Popov J, Ratcliffe EM, Toro Monjaraz EM. Functional Constipation and the Gut Microbiome in Children: Preclinical and Clinical Evidence. Front Pediatr 2021; 8:595531. [PMID: 33553067 PMCID: PMC7856458 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2020.595531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional constipation is a common condition in childhood with significant impact on patients' quality of life and on health care resources. Functional constipation is characterized by decreased bowel movements and/or hard stools, which cause significant distress for children and their caregivers. While the term "functional" may imply the absence of organic causes with a focus on behavioral aspects, 40% of children continue to have symptoms beyond conventional management with one in four children continuing to experience constipation into adulthood. The refractory and chronic nature of constipation highlights the importance of considering a range of pathophysiological mechanisms, including the potential role of the gut microbiome. In this review, we provide an overview of preclinical and clinical studies that focus on the potential mechanisms through which the gut microbiome might contribute to the clinical presentation of functional constipation in pediatrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Avelar Rodriguez
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
- Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jelena Popov
- College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Elyanne M. Ratcliffe
- Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Erick Manuel Toro Monjaraz
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
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Casias A, Newton L. Functional Constipation: A Case Report. J Pediatr Health Care 2021; 35:99-103. [PMID: 33046326 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2020.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Constipation is one of the most common chronic disorders in childhood. Functional constipation (FC) is the most common form of constipation and can be defined as difficult or infrequent passage of stool. Current practice guidelines for FC are well defined; however, primary provider perception and treatment often differ from clinical practice guidelines. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are vital in improving overall outcomes. Primary care providers should be knowledgeable about the diagnosis, initial treatment, and when to refer a child to a gastroenterology specialist. This case report will highlight diagnostic guidelines and treatment of FC in the pediatric population.
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Abstract
Constipation in otherwise healthy infants and children is a common problem despite confusion about how to precisely define constipation and constipation-related disorders. Constipation may, rarely, be a sign or symptom of a more serious disease or a diagnosis defined only by its symptoms and without any structural or biochemical findings. In the latter case it is classified as a functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID). FGIDs are defined as disorders that cannot be explained by structural or biochemical findings. The Rome Foundation has standardized diagnostic criteria for all FGIDs. The Rome criteria are based on the available research as well as the clinical experience of the Foundation's assembled experts. The most recent report, Rome IV, described clinical criteria and diagnostic tools and encouraged more rigorous research in the area of FGIDs. The true incidence and prevalence of constipation is difficult to know because it may be treated at home using home remedies or diagnosed at a visit to a primary care provider or to a subspecialist pediatric gastroenterologist. The most recent attempts to define the prevalence of all pediatric FGIDs have been made using the Rome IV criteria. The defined FGID entities that may be associated with the complaint of constipation are infant dyschezia, functional constipation, and nonretentive fecal incontinence. The term encopresis, omitted from Rome IV, is defined by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition The 3 Rome-defined (constipation-related) entities and the APA entity of encopresis are the focus of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Mayer-Brown
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Hasbro Children's Hospital/Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Providence, RI
| | | | - Wendy Plante
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Hasbro Children's Hospital/Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Providence, RI
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Tosto M, D’Andrea P, Salamone I, Pellegrino S, Costa S, Lucanto MC, Pallio S, Magazzu’ G, Guandalini S. Functional constipation masked as irritable bowel syndrome. BMC Gastroenterol 2020; 20:86. [PMID: 32252644 PMCID: PMC7132980 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-020-01244-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rome IV criteria for functional gastrointestinal disorders state that children suspected of having Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) with Constipation (IBS-C) should be preliminarily treated for constipation. We aimed at verifying if functional constipation may indeed lead to an erroneous diagnosis of IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) or IBS with mixed pattern of diarrhea and constipation (IBS-M). METHODS We prospectively enrolled in an unblinded fashion 10 and 16 consecutive children referred to our center who met Rome IV criteria for a diagnosis of IBS-D and IBS-M, respectively. Patients who fulfilled criteria for suspect "occult constipation" were then given a bowel cleaning regimen with Polyethylene glycol 3350, re-evaluated at 2 months and followed up for at least 6 months. Sixteen additional patients with IBS with Constipation (IBS-C) referred in the same period served as control. The endpoints were: 1) a decrease of more than 50% in abdominal pain intensity and frequency scores; and 2) for patients with IBS-D and IBS-M: resolution of diarrhea. RESULTS The endpoints were met by 8 (80%) and 14 (87%) of the patients with IBS-D and IBS-M, respectively, with decrease of abdominal pain and resolution of "diarrhea". The response was not significantly different from that observed in 15 (93%) of the IBS-C control group. CONCLUSION Acknowledging the limitations of the small number of patients and of the uncontrolled nature of the study, we suggest that a possibly large number of patients labeled as IBS-D or IBS-M may actually simply present functional constipation and should be managed as such.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Tosto
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Policlinico G. Martino Hospital, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | | | - Ignazio Salamone
- Oncological Radiology Unit, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Policlinico G. Martino Hospital, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Pellegrino
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Policlinico G. Martino Hospital, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Stefano Costa
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Policlinico G. Martino Hospital, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Lucanto
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Policlinico G. Martino Hospital, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Socrate Pallio
- Digestive Diseases Endoscopy Unit, Policlinico G. Martino Hospital, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Magazzu’
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Policlinico G. Martino Hospital, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
- Adult and Pediatric Pathology Department G. Barresi, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Stefano Guandalini
- Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA
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Sharif H, Devadason D, Abrehart N, Stevenson R, Marciani L. Imaging Measurement of Whole Gut Transit Time in Paediatric and Adult Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2019; 9:E221. [PMID: 31847098 PMCID: PMC6963386 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics9040221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) are common conditions in children and adults, often associated with abnormalities of whole gut transit. Currently, transit tests can be performed using several imaging methods, including tracking of radiopaque markers, gamma scintigraphy with the use of radioisotopes, magnetic tracking methods, tracking of movement of wireless motility capsules, and emerging magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approaches. OBJECTIVES to review recent literature on diagnostic imaging techniques used to investigate whole gut transit in FGIDs. METHODS a systematic review was carried out. The different techniques are described briefly, with particular emphasis on contemporary literature and new developments, particularly in the field of MRI. CONCLUSIONS emerging MRI capsule marker methods are promising new tools to study whole gut transit in FGIDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayfa Sharif
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (H.S.); (N.A.)
- Amiri Hospital, Ministry of Health, Civil Service Commission, Kuwait City 12025, Kuwait
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - David Devadason
- Nottingham Children’s Hospital, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK;
| | - Nichola Abrehart
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (H.S.); (N.A.)
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Rebecca Stevenson
- Precision Imaging Beacon, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK;
| | - Luca Marciani
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (H.S.); (N.A.)
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Precision Imaging Beacon, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK;
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Margolis KG, Buie TM, Turner JB, Silberman AE, Feldman JF, Murray KF, McSwiggan-Hardin M, Levy J, Bauman ML, Veenstra-VanderWeele J, Whitaker AH, Winter HS. Development of a Brief Parent-Report Screen for Common Gastrointestinal Disorders in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 49:349-362. [PMID: 30350113 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3767-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal dysfunction in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is common and associated with problem behaviors. This study describes the development of a brief, parent-report screen that relies minimally upon the child's ability to report or localize pain for identifying children with ASD at risk for one of three common gastrointestinal disorders (functional constipation, functional diarrhea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease). In a clinical sample of children with ASD, this 17-item screen identified children having one or more of these disorders with a sensitivity of 84%, specificity of 43%, and a positive predictive value of 67%. If found to be valid in an independent sample of children with ASD, the screen will be useful in both clinical practice and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara G Margolis
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, 622 West 168th Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Timothy M Buie
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Mass-General Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA
| | - J Blake Turner
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna E Silberman
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Judith F Feldman
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katherine F Murray
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Mass-General Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maureen McSwiggan-Hardin
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph Levy
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, 622 West 168th Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Margaret L Bauman
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Agnes H Whitaker
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Harland S Winter
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Mass-General Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA
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9
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Rosen J. Enabling high value care in common paediatric gastrointestinal disorders. Int J Clin Pract 2018; 72:e13206. [PMID: 29924469 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.13206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- J Rosen
- Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
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Santucci NR, Hyman PE, Karpinski A, Rosenberg A, Garguilo D, Rein LE, Amado-Feeley A, Stoops E, Herdes RE, van Tilburg MAL. Development and validation of a childhood self-efficacy for functional constipation questionnaire. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2018; 30. [PMID: 28980378 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children with functional constipation fear painful bowel movements leading to stool withholding behavior. Self-efficacy is the belief that an individual can accomplish a given goal. If children with constipation avoid defecation because they think that they are unable defecate comfortably, this low self-efficacy may prevent treatment success. The aim of the current study was to develop and validate a constipation specific self-efficacy scale. METHODS The self-efficacy for functional constipation questionnaire (SEFCQ) was developed by the authors and evaluated by 10 children and seven experts. Ninety-nine healthy children and 122 children with functional constipation completed the SEFCQ and three other questionnaires measuring related constructs. KEY RESULTS Minor changes were made in wording based on feedback from experts and children. Factor analysis showed two scales, a 7 item Action scale (Cronbach's α = 0.88) and a 7 item Emotion scale (Cronbach α = 0.86). The SEFCQ total scale correlated positively with general self-efficacy (r = .32, P < .001) and quality of life (r = .20; P < .01) and negatively with anxiety (r = -.15; P < .05). Scores on the SEFCQ were higher in children without functional constipation compared to those with functional constipation (53.33 + 3.38 vs 39.34 + 7.19, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES We developed a constipation specific self-efficacy questionnaire with good initial internal reliability, excellent face validity and adequate content validity. A low self-efficacy for defecation, may make the child resist their physical urge to defecate and hence, the need for further studies to assess its effect on treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- N R Santucci
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - P E Hyman
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - A Karpinski
- School of Administration, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
| | - A Rosenberg
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - D Garguilo
- Department of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - L E Rein
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - A Amado-Feeley
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - E Stoops
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - R E Herdes
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - M A L van Tilburg
- College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Varni JW, Shulman RJ, Self MM, Nurko S, Saps M, Saeed SA, Patel AS, Dark CV, Bendo CB, Pohl JF. Gastrointestinal symptoms predictors of health-related quality of life in pediatric patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders. Qual Life Res 2016; 26:1015-1025. [PMID: 27743332 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-016-1430-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the patient-reported multidimensional gastrointestinal symptoms predictors of generic health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in pediatric patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). METHODS The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL™) Gastrointestinal Symptoms Scales and PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales were completed in a 9-site study by 259 pediatric patients with functional constipation, functional abdominal pain (FAP), or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Gastrointestinal Symptoms Scales measuring stomach pain, stomach discomfort when eating, food and drink limits, trouble swallowing, heartburn and reflux, nausea and vomiting, gas and bloating, constipation, blood in poop, and diarrhea were identified as clinically important symptom differentiators from healthy controls based on prior findings, and subsequently tested for bivariate and multivariate linear associations with overall HRQOL. RESULTS Gastrointestinal symptoms were differentially associated with decreased HRQOL in bivariate analyses for the three FGIDs. In predictive models utilizing hierarchical multiple regression analyses controlling for age, gender, and race/ethnicity, gastrointestinal symptoms differentially accounted for an additional 47, 40, and 60 % of the variance in patient-reported HRQOL for functional constipation, FAP, and IBS, respectively, reflecting large effect sizes. Significant individual gastrointestinal symptoms predictors were identified after controlling for the other gastrointestinal symptoms in the FGID-specific predictive models. CONCLUSIONS Gastrointestinal symptoms represent potentially modifiable predictors of generic HRQOL in pediatric patients with FGIDs. Identifying the condition-specific gastrointestinal symptoms that are the most important predictors from the patient perspective facilitates a patient-centered approach to targeted interventions designed to ameliorate impaired overall HRQOL.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Varni
- Professor Emeritus, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, 3137 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-3137, USA. .,Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, College of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
| | - Robert J Shulman
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Children's Nutrition Research Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mariella M Self
- Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Samuel Nurko
- Center for Motility and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Miguel Saps
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Shehzad A Saeed
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Ashish S Patel
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Children's Medical Center of Dallas, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | - Cristiane B Bendo
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - John F Pohl
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Primary Children's Hospital, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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