Somatic symptom severity during acute illnesses among children with functional gastrointestinal disorders.

BACKGROUND

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are associated with various gastrointestinal (GI) and non-GI symptoms, risk factors for which commonly include psychosocial and physical stresses.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to compare somatic symptom severity between children with FGIDs and healthy controls during acute illnesses.

METHODS

This was a prospective descriptive cross-sectional study whose inclusion criterion was age 4-18 years. Children were classified into FGID and control groups using the Rome IV diagnostic criteria. Somatic symptom severity was estimated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Children's Somatic Symptoms Inventory-24 (CSSI-24) questionnaire and compared between groups.

RESULTS

Ninety-three children, including 40 with FGIDs (43%), were enrolled. The FGID group had statistically significantly higher VAS scores for abdominal pain than controls (2.93±3.68 vs. 0.72±2.08, P<0.001). However, no significant intergroup differences were noted in VAS scores for nausea (P=0.493) or headache (P=0.311). For somatization symptoms, the CSSI-24 total (20.58±18.32 vs. 7.06±10.49, P<0.001), GI symptom (9.60±7.48 vs. 2.43±3.39, P≤0.001) and non-GI symptom (10.98±11.67 vs. 4.62±7.88, P< 0.001) scores were significantly higher for the FGID versus control groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Children with FGIDs exhibited more significant somatic symptoms than controls during acute illnesses. GI and non-GI manifestations were significantly more common in children with FGIDs.