Dietary Habits and Abdominal Pain-related Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A School-based, Cross-sectional Analysis in Greek Children and Adolescents

Association of fructose consumption with prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders manifestations: results from Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS)

The study aimed to assess the total prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID), and separately, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) among adults and to determine their potential association with fructose consumption. Data from the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey were included (3798 adults; 58·9 % females). Information regarding FGID symptomatology was assessed using self-reported physician diagnosis questionnaires the reliability of which were screened using the ROME III, in a sample of the population. Fructose intake was estimated from 24 h recalls, and the MedDiet score was used to assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The prevalence of FGID symptomatology was 20·2 %, while 8·2 % had IBS (representing 40·2 % of total FGID). The likelihood of FGID was 28 % higher (95 %CI: 1·03-1·6) and of IBS 49 % (95 %CI: 1·08-2·05) in individuals with higher fructose intake than with lower intake (3rd tertile compared with 1st). When area of residence was accounted for, individuals residing in the Greek islands had a significantly lower probability of FGID and IBS compared with those residing in Mainland and the main Metropolitan areas, with Islanders also achieving a higher MedDiet score and lower added sugar intake, comparatively to inhabitants of the main metropolitan areas. FGID and IBS symptomatology was most prominent among individuals with higher fructose consumption, and this was most conspicuous in areas with a lower Mediterranean diet adherence, suggesting that the dietary source of fructose rather than total fructose should be examined in relation to FGID.

Non-pharmacological management of pediatric functional abdominal pain disorders: Current evidence and future perspectives

Functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) are an important and prevalent cause of functional gastrointestinal disorders among children, encompassing the diagnoses of functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal migraine, and the one not previously present in Rome III, functional abdominal pain not otherwise specified. In the absence of sufficiently effective and safe pharmacological treatments for this public problem, non-pharmacological therapies emerge as a viable means of treating these patients, avoiding not only possible side effects, but also unnecessary prescription, since many of the pharmacological treatments prescribed do not have good efficacy when compared to placebo. Thus, the present study provides a review of current and relevant evidence on non-pharmacological management of FAPDs, covering the most commonly indicated treatments, from cognitive behavioral therapy to meditation, acupuncture, yoga, massage, spinal manipulation, moxibustion, and physical activities. In addition, this article also analyzes the quality of publications in the area, assessing whether it is possible to state if non-pharmacological therapies are viable, safe, and sufficiently well-based for an appropriate and effective prescription of these treatments. Finally, it is possible to observe an increase not only in the number of publications on the non-pharmacological treatments for FAPDs in recent years, but also an increase in the quality of these publications. Finally, the sample selection of satisfactory age groups in these studies enables the formulation of specific guidelines for this age group, thus avoiding the need for adaptation of prescriptions initially made for adults, but for children use.

Is there an association between necrotizing enterocolitis in premature neonates and functional gastrointestinal disorders later in childhood?

BACKGROUND

Stressful events during infancy may predispose to the development of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in childhood.

AIMS

To evaluate the association of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) with childhood FGIDs.

METHODS

We conducted a study, comparing 29 children of eight to ten years with a history of NEC with 58 children with no history of NEC. Subjects were assessed for FGIDs, based on Rome-III criteria.

RESULTS

Among 29 subjects with NEC, 17 had surgical and 12 conservative NEC. Subjects with surgically, or conservatively managed NEC developed FGIDs at a significantly higher proportion, as compared to children with no history of NEC, later in childhood (41%, 33%, and 13% respectively, p = 0.033). Functional constipation was the most frequently identified disorder (35%, 33%, and 7% respectively). A significant association was detected between FGIDs and the history of perinatal stress (p = 0.049), NEC (p = 0.011), and the surgical management of NEC (p = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that there is a potential association between NEC and FGIDs later in childhood with functional constipation being the most frequently identified disorder.

Dietary habits in Greek children with functional constipation based on Rome III criteria: a school-based, cross-sectional multivariate analysis

Background

Functional constipation (FC) is the most common gastrointestinal disorder of childhood and has a multifactorial etiology. We aimed to assess dietary habits in Greek children with FC compared to the general population (control group, CG).

Methods

This was a subgroup analysis of a school-based, cross-sectional study carried out in children 6-18 years of age, between January and June 2014, using the Rome III criteria for the diagnosis of FC. Dietary parameters, as well as socioeconomic and demographic data and their association with the likelihood of FC, were analyzed through multivariate logistic regression analysis and expressed as odds ratios (OR).

Results

A total of 1439 children (1218 CG, 221 FC) were included in the analysis. The final model showed that consumption of was the only dietary parameter significantly related to FC; higher frequency of consumption was inversely related to the likelihood of FC (OR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96, 0.99, P=0.048). Significant socioeconomic confounders with a positive association with FC were: parental educational level, victimization, physical activity and number of adults at home.

Conclusions

Increased frequency of fiber consumption is significantly associated with higher odds of FC irrespective of socioeconomic background and lifestyle parameters. Interventional studies are required to validate these cross-sectional observations.

Prevalence, overlap, and risk factors for Rome IV functional gastrointestinal disorders among college students in northern India

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

There is scarcity of data on prevalence, overlap, and risk factors for functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) by Rome IV criteria. We evaluated these factors among medical, nursing, and humanities students.

METHODS

Rome IV Diagnostic Questionnaire (for all FGIDs), Rome III questionnaire (for irritable bowel syndrome [IBS], functional diarrhea [FDr], and functional constipation [FC]), and questionnaires assessing demography, physical activity, anxiety, and depression were used.

RESULTS

A total of 1309 college students were included (medical 425, nursing 390, humanities 494; mean age 20.5 ± 2.1 years; 36.5% males). Prevalence of Rome IV FGIDs was 26.9% (n = 352), significantly higher among females compared with males (32.3% vs. 17.6%; p < 0.001) and significantly higher among medical (34.4%) and nursing students (29.2%) compared with humanities students (18.6%) (p < 0.05). Most common FGIDs were functional dyspepsia (FD) (15.2%), IBS (6.2%), reflux hypersensitivity (3.5%), FDr (2.9%), FC (2.1%), and unspecified functional bowel disorder (2.1%). FGID overlap was present in 9.3%, most common being FD-IBS overlap (4.4%). With Rome III criteria, prevalence of IBS was higher (9.5%), while that of FDr (0.92%) and of FC (1.3%) were lower. On multivariate analysis, independent predictors for FGIDs were female gender, medical student, non-vegetarian diet, junk food, tea/coffee, poor physical activity, anxiety, and insomnia.

CONCLUSION

Rome IV FGIDs were present among one-fourth of college students with preponderance among females and medical students. FD, IBS, and reflux hypersensitivity were the most common FGIDs. Rome IV criteria led to a reduction in IBS prevalence and increase in FDr and FC prevalence. Dietary factors, physical activity, anxiety, and insomnia affected FGID prevalence.

Global Dietary Patterns and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDs) are common. In the United States alone, approximately 25 million Americans are estimated to have at least one FGID. Nonpharmacological treatment options include psychological/behavioral approaches, and dietary interventions that can vary across countries. The aim of this review is to evaluate the available evidence for dietary interventions for the treatment of childhood FGIDs amongst various cultures and regions of the world. This review includes clinical trials of dietary therapies for the treatment of FGIDs in children posted on or before 13 July 2020 in PubMed. Overall, the consensus view suggests that the westernization of diets is linked to the development of FGIDs, and diets low in Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols (FODMAPs) may reduce abdominal symptoms. However, more work is needed to confirm these findings.

Bowel patterns, gastrointestinal symptoms, and emotional well-being in adolescents: A cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Bowel patterns are varied in the general population. Gastrointestinal symptoms are common reasons for clinical visits. We aimed to examine the usual bowel pattern and the prevalence and significance of gastrointestinal symptoms in a population-based cohort of Australian adolescents.

METHODS

Seventeen-year-old adolescents (n = 1279) in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study participated in a cross-sectional assessment, involving health questionnaires. Questions included medical history, diet, bowel patterns, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Data were analyzed to identify patterns of bowel motions, gastrointestinal symptoms, and factors associated with these in adolescents. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of poorer self-rated health status.

RESULTS

The dominant pattern of bowel motions was passage of stool that was "not too hard and not too soft" (Bristol stool types 3 and 4) in 90% and occurring between three and seven times per week in 74%. The most prevalent gastrointestinal symptoms included abdominal bloating (72%), abdominal pain (36%), nausea (25%), and constipation (20%). A "Western" dietary pattern was associated with abdominal bloating, constipation, and nausea (P < 0.05). Apart from diarrhea, gastrointestinal symptoms were more prevalent in female adolescents than male adolescents (P < 0.05 for all). Female sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-3.02, P = 0.01), nausea (OR 3.18, 95% CI 2.03-4.98, P < 0.001), and depression (OR 6.68, 95% CI 3.65-12.22, P = 0.03) were independently associated with poorer self-rated health status, after adjusting for other gastrointestinal symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

In adolescents, bowel patterns and gastrointestinal symptoms are diverse and show sex differences. Nausea, depression, and female sex are significant factors for poorer self-rated health.