Effect of cognitive-behavior therapy for children with functional abdominal pain: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) is the validated non-pharmacological treatment for chronic pain in pediatric patients. While some suggested CBT were comparable to the usual care in reducing children's functional abdominal pain. This meta-analysis was designed to systematically review the literature for RCTs that investigated the efficacy of CBT in children with functional abdominal pain (FAP).

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were searched for papers published up to October 2022. Studies applying different CBT delivery methods (in-person, web-based, phone-based) were included in this meta-analysis to evaluate the comprehensive effectiveness of CBT compared with usual care. Weighted and standardized mean difference with the 95% confidence intervals were used for the synthesis of the results. Primary outcome was the decrease of functional disability inventory (FDI) and the secondary outcomes were the decrease of severity in pain intensity, depression, anxiety, gastrointestinal symptoms, and improvement in physical quality of life (QoL).

RESULTS

A total of 10 RCTs with 1187 children were included in the final analysis. The results showed that CBT resulted in better effect in reducing functional disability inventory (SMD=-2.282, 95%CI: -4.537 to -0.027, P = 0.047), pain intensity (SMD=-0.594, 95%CI: -1.147 to -0.040, P = 0.036), and improving QoL (SMD = 14.097, 95%CI: 0.901 to 27.292, P = 0.036) compared with the control groups. Comparable effects were observed in the severity of depression (SMD=-0.493, 95%CI: -1.594 to 0.608, P = 0.380), anxiety (SMD=-0.062, 95%CI: -0.640 to 0.517, P = 0.835), and gastrointestinal symptoms (SMD=-1.096 95%CI: -2.243 to 0.050, P = 0.061) between CBT and usual treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed the differences in post-treatment FAP and pain intensity for children receiving CBT compared with children receiving treatment as usual. CBT in the setting of FAP demonstrates promising developments and highlights the need for future research.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials: efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapies for the management of functional and recurrent abdominal pain disorders in children and adolescents

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective for pain relief in children and adolescents with functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs). However, few studies have focused on the FAPDs specifically and the medium-term or long-term results of CBT. In this meta-analysis, we investigated the efficacy of CBT in pediatric FAPDs and unclassified chronic or recurrent abdominal pain (CAP and RAP, respectively). We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for related randomized controlled trials until August 2021. Eventually, 10 trials with 872 participants were included. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed, and data on two primary and four secondary outcomes of interest were extracted. We used the standardized mean difference (SMD) to measure the same outcome, and precisions of effect sizes were reported as 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We found that CBT had significantly positive effects on reducing pain intensity immediately (SMD: -0.54 [CI: -0.9, -0.19], p = 0.003), 3 months after the intervention (SMD: -0.55; [CI: -1.01, -0.1], p = 0.02) and 12 months after the intervention (SMD: -0.32; [CI: -0.56, -0.08], p = 0.008). CBT also reduced the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms, depression, and solicitousness, improved the quality of life and decreased the total social cost. Future studies should consider uniform interventions in the control group and comparing different CBT delivery methods.

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are an extremely common set of more than 50 disorders characterized by persistent and recurring gastrointestinal symptoms. Most of these patients can be diagnosed and managed by primary care physicians. Treatment includes patient education and reassurance, eliminating triggers, dietary modification, and pharmacologic management. Primary care physicians should consider referral to gastroenterologists when patients exhibit red flag symptoms such as blood in stool, abnormal laboratory findings, involuntary weight loss, age of presentation greater than 50 years, or certain concerning family history.

Prevalence, risk factors, and treatment of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in children

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is defined as the presence of an excessive number of bacteria within the small bowel. Pediatric SIBO is a heterogeneous disorder that manifests as various symptoms ranging from mild gastrointestinal symptoms to malabsorption or malnutrition. The carbohydrate breath test is a commonly used, safe, and noninvasive diagnostic test; however, a standardized methodology is lacking. Multiple factors, such as neuromuscular disorders, systemic diseases, chronic drug use, or altered intestinal anatomy that disturb intestinal motility or induce an abnormality in the body's defense systems against intestinal bacteria, predispose children to SIBO. The high prevalence and similar symptoms of SIBO in functional gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, suggest an association between them. The principles of treatment include managing predisposing conditions, nutritional support, symptom control, and antibacterial treatment. Rifaximin is the most commonly used drug. To date, studies of antibiotic treatment in pediatric populations with irritable bowel syndrome or SIBO are lacking and have shown mixed results. Here we review the prevalence, diagnostic tests, and treatment results in pediatric populations.

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

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

Ability of polymicrobial probiotic and mono-strain probiotic to reduce functional abdominal pain in children: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Chronic abdominal pain is a common problem in childhood.

PURPOSE

Due to the prevalence of functional abdominal pain (FAP) and the importance of probiotics, this study aimed to compare the ability of 2 probiotics to reduce and improve FAP in children.

METHODS

This open-label randomized clinical trial included 116 children aged 5-15 years with FAPP who met the ROME-4 criteria and were referred to the gastrointestinal clinic of Amir-Kabir Hospital in Arak in 2020-2021. The children were randomly allocated to receive polymicrobial probiotic (PMP group) or mono-strain probiotic (MSP group) once daily for 4 weeks. The standard Wong-Baker Faces scale was used to assess symptom severity.

RESULTS

Of the 116 subjects, 62 (53.5%) were boys; the mean participant age was 7.39 years (standard deviation, 3.4 years). A significant intergroup difference (P=0.003) was observed in pain severity; 10.34% of children in the PMP group had no pain, while all patients in the MSP group reported low-degree pain. There was no intergroup difference in mean pain score (P=0.466), but it decreased over time in both groups (P= 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Although significantly more children were painless in the PMP versus MSP group, no significant intergroup difference in pain score was noted and symptom severity decreased in both groups. A future study with a placebo group is recommended to validate our findings.

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

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

Detection of Blastocystis Subtypes in Children with Functional Abdominal Pain and Celiac Disease in Çorum, Turkey

BACKGROUND

Blastocystis has been associated with various symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of Blastocystis in children with celiac disease (CeD) or functional abdominal pain (FAP) and to evaluate its subtypes (STs) with respect to demographic, socioeconomic and epidemiological factors.

METHODS

Overall, 161 fecal samples were collected from healthy children and patients with FAP or CeD in Hitit University Erol Olçok Research and Training Hospital, Corum, Turkey between 2016-2018. Samples were examined using both native-Lugol (NL) and trichrome-stained (TS) smears, and further analyses by PCR and Sanger sequencing were performed. A standard questionnaire was applied to obtain demographic, socioeconomic, epidemiological data.

RESULTS

Blastocystis was found in 10.6% of the total study population. Neither bacteria nor any other parasites were found, except for one Giardia (0.6%) in the CeD group. The presence/absence of the parasite was not found to be associated with demographic, socioeconomic and epidemiological factors. Blastocysis was detected in 11.5% (6/52) of the CeD, 7.7% (4/52) of the FAP, and 12.3% (7/57) of the healthy group. Diagnostic methods were similar in terms of Blastocystis detection (P= 0.671), and there was fair agreement between the NL, TS and PCR (Fleiss' Kappa=0.847, P=0.001). ST2 (42.8%) and ST3 (35.7%) were the predominant STs followed by ST1 (21.4%).

CONCLUSION

We observed no difference between study groups in terms of Blastocystis prevalence. ST1, ST2 and ST3 subtypes were detected. Blastocystis prevalence and STs were not related to any of the demographic, socioeconomic and epidemiological factors.

Sex Moderates the Relationship Between Nausea Severity and Heart Rate Variability in Adolescents and Young Adults

BACKGROUND

Nausea is a common complaint among children and is particularly prevalent in children with functional abdominal pain (FAP), with nearly half of children with FAP also endorsing nausea. Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, which can be indexed by heart rate variability (HRV), leads to abnormalities in gastric electrical activity that are associated with GI symptoms.

AIMS

To evaluate that relationship between nausea severity and HRV in adolescents and young adults with a history of FAP and to assess for sex differences.

METHODS

Participants were pediatric patients with a diagnosis of FAP who were recruited from a pediatric GI clinic between 1993 and 2007 for a prospective study of the course of FAP. Study analyses focused on the cross-sectional relationship between HRV, indexed by standard deviation of the R-R interval (SDRRI) and high-frequency (HF) power, and nausea severity collected during a follow-up visit in late adolescence and young adulthood.

RESULTS

Controlling for age and BMI, a significant nausea by sex interaction emerged for both SDRRI and HF power. Tests of conditional effects of nausea by sex showed that the inverse relation between nausea severity and both SDRRI and HF was significant for females but not for males.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to evaluate the relationship between nausea severity and HRV. Greater nausea severity was associated with lower HRV in females but not in males. Further validation of these results may provide insight into novel treatment approaches for females with nausea that target vagal tone.

Median arcuate ligament syndrome - Current state of management

Symptomatic celiac artery compression syndrome (CACS) or median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a controversial diagnosis that should be considered in patients with chronic abdominal pain of unknown etiology despite an extensive medical evaluation. Once suspected, patients should undergo mesenteric duplex ultrasound. Diagnosis is confirmed with elevated celiac artery velocities which normalize with deep inspiration followed by CT angiogram showing the typical "J-hook" conformation of the celiac artery. Patients should then undergo evaluation by a multi-disciplinary team to appropriately select and prepare patients for potential surgical treatment. Surgical options include release of the median arcuate ligament, with or without neurolysis of the celiac nerve plexus, and with or without concomitant revascularization procedures. Approaches can be open, laparoscopic, or robotic. Surgical treatment has an overall success rate of 70-80% with patients reporting improved abdominal pain and quality of life. Post-operatively, patients can have persistent or recurrent abdominal pain and should undergo re-evaluation for possible need for a revascularization procedure for stenosis of the celiac artery or celiac plexus block if the celiac artery flow is normalized. Additionally, some patients will have persistent pain consistent with functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) that will then require medical management. Psychiatric comorbidities have been identified as a predisposing factor that may predict poorer outcomes, and there are preliminary findings suggesting that patients with dysautonomia diagnoses may have worse outcomes as well.

Allergy-related diseases in childhood and risk for abdominal pain-related functional gastrointestinal disorders at 16 years-a birth cohort study

BACKGROUND

Studies on allergy-related diseases in relation to abdominal pain-related functional gastrointestinal disorders (AP-FGIDs) in children are few and results are contradictory. We examined the associations between childhood allergy-related diseases and adolescent AP-FGIDs in general and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in particular.

METHOD

Prospective population-based birth cohort study of 4089 children born in Sweden 1994-1996. We analysed data from 2949 children with complete follow-up at 16 years (y) and no diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease or coeliac disease at 12y or 16y. Asthma, rhinitis, eczema, and food hypersensitivity (FH) were assessed through questionnaires at 1-2y, 4y, 8y, 12y, and 16y. AP-FGIDs and IBS were assessed through questionnaires at 16y and defined according to the Rome III criteria. Associations between childhood allergy-related diseases and any AP-FGID and IBS and 16y respectively were examined using binomial generalized linear models with a log link function and described as relative risk with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

The prevalence of any AP-FGID and IBS at 16y were 12.0% and 6.0% respectively. Eczema at 1-2y, 4y, and 8y, and FH at 12y and 16y were associated with an increased risk for any AP-FGID at 16y. Asthma and FH at 12y and 16y were associated with an increased risk for IBS at 16y. The relative risk for IBS at 16y increased with increasing number of concurrent allergy-related diseases at 16y, but linear trend for relative risk was only borderline statistically significant (P for trend = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This prospective population-based study demonstrated positive associations between childhood allergy-related diseases and adolescent AP-FGIDs, including IBS, implicating shared pathophysiology among these disorders.

The growing gap between demand and availability of clinical psychology in Paediatric Gastroenterology: a retrospective analysis of clinical routine care

Clinical psychology intervention in paediatric gastroenterology is vital given the biopsychosocial aetiology of paediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders, and the psychological impact of chronic conditions. The aim was to assess the availability and benefit of clinical psychology in paediatric gastroenterology across the UK and Germany. A retrospective assessment of referrals (n = 936 referrals) to clinical psychology was performed at our tertiary paediatric gastroenterology centre between 2010 and 2018. The availability of clinical psychologists and outcome of psychology intervention for children with functional abdominal pain were also assessed. Access to clinical psychology across the UK and Germany was assessed using an online questionnaire. We observed a substantial rise in the number of clinical psychology referrals between 2010 and 2018. Increasing demand was not matched by sufficient increase in availability of clinical psychology, leading to longer waiting times. A major benefit of clinical psychology intervention was highlighted with 95% of patients (n = 20) reporting a significant reduction in symptoms. Of the 12 centres who responded, 11 centres have direct access to clinical psychology with a mean of 13% of patients requiring psychology referrals annually.Conclusion: Despite evidence of its benefit and increasing demand, there is insufficient access to clinical psychological services, highlighting the urgent need to address this important issue. What is known: • The biopsychosocial pathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders involves a disordered brain-gut interaction, which emphasizes the close link between psychological factors and altered gut function. • Psychological intervention, as an adjunct to medical treatment, improves outcomes in paediatric patients with gastrointestinal (GI) disease such as functional gastrointestinal disorders and inflammatory bowel diseases What is new: • There is a rising number of referrals from paediatric gastroenterology to clinical psychology in our centre which is not met by a sufficient increase in the availability of clinical psychologists. Similarly, access to clinical psychological services is lacking in several paediatric gastroenterology centres in the UK and Germany. • Strategic action is required to address this important gap in the care of children suffering from GI diseases.

Breaking the vicious circle of fear and avoidance in children with abdominal pain: A mediation analysis

OBJECTIVES

Exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy via internet (Internet-CBT) has been shown to reduce symptoms and increase quality of life for children with functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs), but the mechanisms of change are unknown. The objective was to examine whether a change in symptom-specific fear and avoidance, i.e., gastrointestinal-specific anxiety (GI-anxiety) and gastrointestinal-specific avoidance (GI-avoidance), mediated changes in parent-reported abdominal symptoms for children receiving Internet-CBT compared with children receiving treatment as usual. A further aim was to assess if baseline levels of the proposed mediators moderated the mediation.

METHODS

Weekly assessments of child-reported mediators and parent-reported outcome from 90 children aged 8-12 who were included in a randomized controlled trial were used in univariate and multivariate growth models to test the direct effect of treatment on outcome and the indirect effects via mediators and moderated mediation.

RESULTS

Treatment condition significantly predicted the slope of the mediators (a-path), in favor of Internet-CBT, and mediators were correlated with the outcome (b-path). The indirect effects of the mediators on the outcome (cross-product of the a and b-paths) were significantly different from zero for both GI-avoidance, ab = 1.43, 95%CI [0.42, 3.23]; and GI-anxiety ab = 1.58, 95%CI [0.43, 3.62]. Baseline levels of the proposed mediators moderated the size of the mediation.

CONCLUSIONS

GI-anxiety and GI-avoidance were mediators of change in Internet-CBT and high levels of the mediators at baseline were associated with larger mediated effects. Healthcare professionals should be aware of, and inform families about, the potential benefits of reducing symptom-specific fear and avoidance.

Comparison of child abuse history in patients with and without functional abdominal pain: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are ranked first amongst medical diseases as a trigger of requests for mental health counselling. Child abuse has been regarded as one of the main causes of the development of functional abdominal pain (FAP) in children. This study aimed, therefore, to compare the prevalence of child abuse experience among two groups of patients with and without FAP.

METHODS

A case-control study of children in Arak, Iran, in which experience of child abuse was compared in children with (n = 100) and without functional abdominal pain (n = 100). Three categories of child abuse - emotional abuse, physical abuse, and neglect - were assessed using the Child Abuse Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Stata software.

RESULTS

After adjusting for potential confounders, there were group differences in emotional abuse (96% vs. 81%, aOR = 5.13, 95% CI: 1.3-20.3, p = 0.017), neglect (28% vs. 8%, aOR = 4.27, 95% CI: 1.8-11.8, p = 0.001) and total child abuse score (98% vs. 84%, aOR = 8.2, 95% CI: 1.5-43.8, p = 0.014) but not in physical abuse (57% vs. 46%, aOR = 1.47, 95% CI: 0.81-2.60, p = 0.728).

CONCLUSIONS

As the prevalence of child abuse is higher in patients with FAP, child abuse appears to be related to the occurrence of FAP in children. However, the results of this study cannot be generalized to Iranian society generally and further longitudinal studies are recommended.

The Effects of the Rome IV Criteria on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Practice

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To evaluate the impact of the implementation of the Rome IV criteria on pediatric gastrointestinal practice.

RECENT FINDINGS

In 2016, the Rome IV criteria were published, providing an update of symptom-based criteria to diagnose children with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). For neonates and toddlers, Wessel's criteria for diagnosing infant colic were abandoned, and a differentiation was made between toilet-trained and non-toilet-trained children in the diagnosis of functional constipation. For children and adolescents, two new disorders (functional nausea and functional vomiting) are described, and in the diagnosis of functional dyspepsia, pain does not have to be the chief complaint anymore. This change has made functional dyspepsia the most common functional abdominal pain disorder, exceeding the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Lastly, the diagnosis of abdominal migraine was narrowed, causing an appropriate drop in its prevalence.

Integration of Biomedical and Psychosocial Treatments in Pediatrics Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are disorders of the brain-gut axis. Pathophysiological factors include alterations in gut motility, microbiota, immune system, central nervous system, and psychosocial factors. Given the complex pathophysiology of FGIDs, many patients are in need of integrative treatment approaches that may include a combination of biomedical, nutritional, and psychological approaches. In this article, we examine goals of treatment; give a brief overview of biomedical, nutritional, and psychological approaches; and finally discuss the integrative management of pediatric FGIDs.

Relationship Between Abdominal Symptoms and Fructose Ingestion in Children with Chronic Abdominal Pain

BACKGROUND

Limited valid data are available regarding the association of fructose-induced symptoms, fructose malabsorption, and clinical symptoms.

AIM

To develop a questionnaire for valid symptom assessment before and during a carbohydrate breath test and to correlate symptoms with fructose breath test results in children/adolescents with functional abdominal pain.

METHODS

A Likert-type questionnaire assessing symptoms considered relevant for hydrogen breath test in children was developed and underwent initial validation. Fructose malabsorption was determined by increased breath hydrogen in 82 pediatric patients with functional abdominal pain disorders; fructose-induced symptoms were quantified by symptom score ≥2 and relevant symptom increase over baseline. The results were correlated with clinical symptoms. The time course of symptoms during the breath test was assessed.

RESULTS

The questionnaire exhibited good psychometric properties in a standardized assessment of the severity of carbohydrate-related symptoms. A total of 40 % (n = 33) had malabsorption; symptoms were induced in 38 % (n = 31), but only 46 % (n = 15) with malabsorption were symptomatic. There was no significant correlation between fructose malabsorption and fructose-induced symptoms. Clinical symptoms correlated with symptoms evoked during the breath test (p < 0.001, r2 = 0.21) but not with malabsorption (NS). Malabsorbers did not differ from non-malabsorbers in terms of symptoms during breath test. Symptomatic patients had significantly higher pain and flatulence scores over the 9-h observation period (p < 0.01) than did nonsymptomatic patients; the meteorism score was higher after 90 min.

CONCLUSIONS

Fructose-induced symptoms but not fructose malabsorption are related to increased abdominal symptoms and have distinct timing patterns.

[Implementation of a low FODMAP diet for functional abdominal pain]

INTRODUCTION

The low FODMAP diet (fermentable oligosaccharides, monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polyols) has shown to be effective in adult patients with irritable bowel syndrome, but there are few studies on paediatric patients. The aim of this study is to assess the implementation and the outcomes of a low FODMAP diet in the treatment of functional abdominal pain in children from a Mediterranean area.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A table was designed in which foods were classified according to their FODMAP content, as well as a 'Symptoms and Stools Diary'. A prospective study was conducted on children with functional abdominal pain in our Paediatric Gastroenterology Unit.

RESULTS

A total of 22 patients were enrolled in the trial, and 20 completed it. Data were collected of the abdominal pain features over a period of 3 days, and then patients followed a two-week low FODMAP diet. Afterwards, information about abdominal pain features was collected again. After the diet, they showed fewer daily abdominal pain episodes compared to baseline (1.16 [IQR: 0.41-3.33] versus 2 [IQR: 1.33-6.33] daily episodes, P=.024), less pain severity compared to baseline (1.41cm [IQR: 0.32-5.23] versus 4.63cm [IQR: 2.51-6.39] measured by 10-cm Visual Analogue Scale, P=.035), less interference with daily activities, and less gastrointestinal symptoms. Only 15% of patients found it difficult to follow the diet.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of a low FODMAP diet for 2 weeks in a Mediterranean paediatric population diagnosed with functional abdominal pain is possible with adapted diets. It was highly valued by patients, and they showed an improvement in abdominal pain symptoms assessed by objective methods.

Functional Abdominal Pain and Related Syndromes

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are very common. They result from dysfunctional interaction in the brain-gut axis. Although the nature is benign, symptoms may be debilitating. The etiology is multifactorial; therefore, the diagnosis should be approached in a bio-psychosocial model. There are no biomarkers to characterize these conditions, but a solid understanding of the pathophysiology allows providers to present these disorders as a positive clinical diagnosis, rather than a diagnosis of exclusion. Effective management entails close collaboration between the medical and mental health providers.

Probiotics in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Infantile colic, constipation, functional abdominal pain (FAP), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). This chapter will review current evidence on the role of probiotics in the treatment of these FGID. The etiology of FGID is considered multifactorial, but the importance of intestinal microbiota in their development has been repeatedly emphasized. As a consequence, the potential role of probiotics in their treatment is being increasingly scrutinized. Presently, the strongest evidence of efficacy is for the use of Lactobacillus reuteri (L reuteri) DSM 17938 at the dose of 10⁸ CFU/day for the treatment of infantile colic in breastfed infants. Limited, yet encouraging, evidence exists for Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) at the dose of 3 × 10⁹ CFU and for a multi-strain preparation for the treatment of IBS. In the treatment of FAP, there is some evidence for the use of L reuteri DSM 17938 at the dose of at least 10⁸ CFU/day.

Child with Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is one of the common symptoms reported by children in urgent care clinics. While most children tend to have self-limiting conditions, the treating pediatrician should watch out for underlying serious causes like intestinal obstruction and perforation peritonitis, which require immediate referral to an emergency department (ED). Abdominal pain may be secondary to surgical or non-surgical causes, and will differ as per the age of the child. The common etiologies for abdominal pain presenting to an urgent care clinic are acute gastro-enteritis, constipation and functional abdominal pain; however, a variety of extra-abdominal conditions may also present as abdominal pain. Meticulous history taking and physical examination are the best tools for diagnosis, while investigations have a limited role in treating benign etiologies.

Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 and a placebo both significantly reduced symptoms in children with functional abdominal pain

AIM

Lactobacillus reuteri is a Gram-positive bacterium that naturally inhabits the human intestinal tract. This study assessed how effectively the probiotic L. reuteri DSM 17938 managed childhood functional abdominal pain (FAP).

METHODS

We recruited 54 children with a mean age 9.1 ± 3.8 years, who were diagnosed with FAP in the outpatient clinics of three university hospitals in Greece, Slovenia and Poland, according to the Rome III criteria, from January 2013 to December 2015. They were randomly assigned to receive either 2 × 10⁸ colony-forming units of L. reuteri (n = 27) or a placebo (n = 27) for four weeks.

RESULTS

Both L. reuteri and the placebo significantly reduced the frequency and intensity of abdominal pain episodes at four and eight weeks compared to baseline (all p < 0.001). L. reuteri decreased the use of pain relieving drugs at four weeks and the number of child school and adult work absences at four and eight weeks, unlike the placebo, which achieved nonsignificant results. However, the difference between the groups did not reach significance. No side effects were recorded.

CONCLUSION

Both L. reuteri and the placebo were effective in alleviating pain in children with FAP, but only L. reuteri improved the child's and family's normal activities.

Acceptance-based interoceptive exposure for young children with functional abdominal pain

Functional abdominal pain (FAP) is a common childhood somatic complaint that contributes to impairment in daily functioning (e.g., school absences) and increases risk for chronic pain and psychiatric illness. Cognitive behavioral treatments for FAP target primarily older children (9 + years) and employ strategies to reduce a focus on pain. The experience of pain may be an opportunity to teach viscerally hypersensitive children to interpret the function of a variety of bodily signals (including those of hunger, emotions) thereby reducing fear of bodily sensations and facilitating emotion awareness and self-regulation. We designed and tested an interoceptive exposure treatment for younger children (5-9 years) with FAP. Assessments included diagnostic interviews, 14 days of daily pain monitoring, and questionnaires. Treatment involved 10 weekly appointments. Using cartoon characters to represent bodily sensations (e.g., Gassy Gus), children were trained to be "FBI agents" - Feeling and Body Investigators - who investigated sensations through exercises that provoked somatic experience. 24 parent-child dyads are reported. Pain (experience, distress, and interference) and negative affect demonstrated clinically meaningful and statistically significant change with effect sizes ranging from 0.48 to 71 for pain and from 0.38 to 0.61 for pain distress, total pain: X² (1, n = 24) = 13.14, p < 0.0003. An intervention that helps children adopt a curious stance and focus on somatic symptoms reduces pain and may help lessen somatic fear generally.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT02075437.

Preliminary evidence for increased parasympathetic activity during social inclusion and exclusion in adolescents with functional abdominal pain

OBJECTIVE

Peer victimization (e.g. social exclusion) has been shown to be associated with physical health problems such as functional somatic complaints and especially symptoms of pain. To date, no study has investigated the mechanisms underlying this association in clinical pediatric samples. The aim of this study was to evaluate the parasympathetic activity during a social exclusion experience in adolescents with functional abdominal pain (FAP).

METHODS

Twenty adolecents with FAP and 21 matched healthy participants were compared regarding parameters of parasympathetic activation before, during, and after participating in the Cyberball-game, a well-established paradigm to induce social exclusion.

RESULTS

Adolescents with FAP showed an increase in parasympathetic activation during both consecutive phases of the Cyberball game (inclusion as well as exclusion condition) whereas the healthy control group remained stable. There were no differences in subjective experience of in- and exclusion between the groups.

CONCLUSION

The parasympathetic activation pattern may indicate altered processing of social stimuli in adolescents with FAP.

Mind Over Gut: Psychosocial Management of Pediatric Functional Abdominal Pain

INTRODUCTION

Functional abdominal pain (FAP) refers to a common set of symptoms that characterizes abdominal pain for which there is no identifiable organic disease process. FAP is associated with functional disability, but understanding of its pathogenesis is incomplete. The condition appears to stem from an interaction between physical and psychological mechanisms.

METHOD

A literature search was conducted to explore the psychosocial management of FAP and the role of nurse practitioners in treatment.

RESULTS

A growing body of evidence supports the efficacy of psychosocial interventions, including cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnotherapy, and multidisciplinary treatment programs. There are no randomized controlled trials at the primary care level to guide management.

DISCUSSION

Nurse practitioners can provide the supportive and consistent patient-provider relationship that is integral to the management and treatment of FAP. More research is necessary to understand how best to incorporate behavioral interventions into primary care practice.

Gastrointestinal symptoms predictors of health-related quality of life in pediatric patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders

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.

Heightened Temporal Summation of Pain in Patients with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and History of Trauma

BACKGROUND

Individuals with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) report experiencing trauma more often than healthy controls, but little is known regarding psychophysical correlates.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that adolescents and young adults with FGIDs since childhood and a trauma history (n = 38) would exhibit heightened temporal summation to thermal pain stimuli, an index of central sensitization, and greater clinical symptoms compared to patients with FGIDs and no trauma history (n = 95) and healthy controls (n = 135).

METHODS

Participants completed self-report measures, an experimental pain protocol, and psychiatric diagnostic interview as part of a larger longitudinal study.

RESULTS

FGID + Trauma patients exhibited greater temporal summation than FGID + No Trauma patients and healthy controls. Additionally, FGID + Trauma patients exhibited greater gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal symptom severity, number of chronic pain sites, and disability.

CONCLUSIONS

Assessing for trauma history in patients with FGIDs could identify a subset at risk for greater central sensitization and pain-related symptoms.

Irritable bowel syndrome and functional abdominal pain in five-year-old children are related to lifestyle

AIM

Abdominal pain of functional origin is very common in childhood, and environmental factors are thought to be of aetiologic importance. The anthroposophic lifestyle has dietary and lifestyle characteristics that may influence child health, and this study aimed to assess the effect of such lifestyles on abdominal pain of functional origin.

METHODS

A prospective Swedish lifestyle cohort (n = 470) was followed from birth to five years of age. Family lifestyles were characterised through questionnaires. Abdominal pain was defined as irritable bowel syndrome or functional abdominal pain according to the Rome III criteria and measured with parental questionnaires and interviews at the age of five.

RESULTS

The prevalence of abdominal pain was 15%. Children were more likely to have abdominal pain at five years of age if their family had a partly anthroposophic lifestyle, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 2.61 (95% CI 1.15-5.93), or an anthroposophic lifestyle, with an adjusted OR of 2.34 (95% CI 0.96-5.70).

CONCLUSION

A family lifestyle with anthroposophic characteristics was associated with an increased risk of abdominal pain in five-year-old children. The mechanisms for this increase were unclear, but we speculate that there may have been different prerequisites for coping with stressors.

The prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in children in Panama: a school-based study

AIM

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common in children, but the epidemiology of FGIDs is incompletely understood. Our aim was to perform a population-based study using Rome III criteria to describe the prevalence of FGIDs in children in Panama.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study of children attending three schools in Panama City, Panama. Children with organic medical diseases were excluded. Subjects provided demographic information and completed the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms - Rome III Spanish version.

RESULTS

A total of 321 subjects (61.1% female, median age 10 years, range 8-14 years) completed our study. A total of 92 subjects (28.7%) met criteria for an FGID. Gender, age and school type did not differ significantly between subjects with and without FGIDs. The most common FGIDs included functional constipation (15.9%), irritable bowel syndrome (5.6%), and functional abdominal pain or functional abdominal pain syndrome (4.0%). Abdominal pain-related FGIDs were present in 12.1%.

CONCLUSION

FGIDs are common in school-aged children in Panama. The prevalence of abdominal pain-related FGIDs in children in Panama is similar to that described in other parts of the world. Further population-based studies utilising Rome III criteria to measure FGID prevalence in children are needed to advance our understanding of the pathogenesis of FGIDs.

Probiotics for childhood functional gastrointestinal disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to investigate the quantity and quality of the current evidence regarding the effect of different probiotic strains in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) in children and adolescents.

CONCLUSION

Probiotics are more effective than placebo in the treatment of patients with abdominal pain-related FGID, especially with respect to patients with irritable bowel syndrome. To date, however, probiotics have not proved effective for children with functional constipation.

Median arcuate ligament syndrome in the pediatric population

OBJECTIVES

Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a vascular compression syndrome with symptoms that overlap chronic functional abdominal pain (CFAP). We report our experience treating MALS in a pediatric cohort previously diagnosed with CFAP.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We prospectively evaluated 46 pediatric (<21years of age) patients diagnosed with MALS at a tertiary care referral center from 2008 to 2012. All patients had previously been diagnosed with CFAP. Patients were evaluated for celiac artery compression by duplex ultrasound and diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography. Quality of life (QOL) was determined by pre- and postsurgical administration of PedsQL™ questionnaire. The patients underwent laparoscopic release of the median arcuate ligament overlying the celiac artery which included surgical neurolysis. We examined the hemodynamic changes in parameters of the celiac artery and perioperative QOL outcomes to determine correlation.

RESULTS

All patients had studies suggestive of MALS on duplex and computed tomography; 91% (n=42) positive for MALS were females. All patients underwent a technically satisfactory laparoscopic surgical release resulting in a significant improvement in blood flow through the celiac artery. There were no deaths and a total of 9 complications, 8 requiring a secondary procedure; 33 patients were administered QOL surveys. 18 patients completed the survey with 15 (83%) patients reporting overall improvement in the QOL. Overall, 31/46 patients (67%) reported improvement of symptoms since the time of surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

MALS was found to be more common in pediatric females than males. Laparoscopic release of the celiac artery can be performed safely in the pediatric population. Surgical release of the artery and resultant neurolysis resulted in significant improvement in the blood flow, symptoms, and overall QOL in this cohort. The overall improvement in QOL outcome measures after surgery leads us to conclude that MALS might be earlier diagnosed and possibly treated in patients with CFAP. We recommend a multidisciplinary team approach to care for these complex patients.

Glucomannan for abdominal pain-related functional gastrointestinal disorders in children: a randomized trial

AIM

To assess the efficacy of glucomannan (GNN) as the sole treatment for abdominal pain-related functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs).

METHODS

We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Patients were recruited among children referred to the Department of Paediatrics, Medical University of Warsaw. Included in the study were children aged 7-17 years with abdominal pain-related FGIDs classified according to the Rome III diagnostic criteria. The children were randomly assigned to receive GNN, a polysaccharide of 1,4-D-glucose and D-mannose, a soluble fiber from the Japanese Konjac plant, at a dosage of 2.52 g/d (1 sachet of 1.26 g 2 times a day), or a comparable placebo (maltodextrin) at the same dosage. The content of each sachet was dissolved in approximately 125 mL of fluid and was consumed twice daily for 4 wk.

RESULTS

Of the 89 eligible children, 84 (94%) completed the study. "No pain" and "treatment success" (defined as no pain or a decrease ≥ 2/6 points on the FACES Pain Scale Revised) were similar in the GNN (n = 41) and placebo (n = 43) groups [no pain (12/41 vs 6/43, respectively; RR = 2.1, 95%CI: 0.87-5.07) as well as treatment success (23/41 vs 20/43; RR = 1.2, 95%CI: 0.79-1.83)]. No significant differences between the groups were observed in the secondary outcomes, such as abdominal cramps, abdominal bloating/gassiness, episodes of nausea or vomiting, or a changed in stool consistency. GNN demonstrated no significant influence on the number of children requiring rescue therapy, school absenteeism, or daily activities.

CONCLUSION

In our setting, GNN, as dosed in this study, was no more effective than the placebo in achieving therapeutic success in the management of FGIDs in children.

Application of Rome III criteria in typing and differential diagnosis of abdominal pain of functional gastrointestinal disorders

AIM: To study the application of Rome Ⅲcriteria in typing and differential diagnosis of abdominal pain of functional gastrointestinal disorders(FGID).

METHODS: Abdominal pain in 85 cases of functional abdominal pain syndrome (FAPS), 128 cases of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and 50 cases of functional dyspepsia (FD) were typed and differentially diagnosed based on Rome Ⅲ criteria according to the general condition as well as symptoms and signs of patients, and predisposing factors of abdominal pain.

RESULTS: Abdominal pain in FAPS, mainly localized at the abdominal median line and characterized by a shorter period of attack, serious symptoms and young age due to certain social and psychological impact factors, was not found to be related with eating and defecation. The incidence of IBS manifested mainly as abdominal pain and FD was 43.75% and 76.00%, respectively. Gastrointestinal motility disorders in IBS and FD were closely related with eating and defecation. All the patients had similar background of psychological and mental behavioral disorder manifested as disturbance of perception in reduced gastrointestinal pain threshold value.

CONCLUSION: Typing and differential diagnosis of abdominal pain can be made according to its location, specific gastrointestinal motility disturbance related to eating and defecation, attack cycle, and extent of pain in FGID, IBS and FD.

Social learning contributions to the etiology and treatment of functional abdominal pain and inflammatory bowel disease in children and adults

This paper reviews empirical work on cognitive and social learning contributions to the etiology and treatment of illness behavior associated with functional abdominal pain and inflammatory bowel disease. A particular emphasis is placed on randomized controlled trials, the majority of which are multi-modal in orientation, incorporating elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, social learning, and relaxation. Based on this review, we offer methodological and clinical suggestions: (1) Research investigations should include adequate sample sizes, long-term follow-up assessments, and a credible, active control group. (2) Standard gastrointestinal practice should include, when appropriate, learning opportunities for patients and family members, for example, instruction regarding the encouragement of wellness behavior.