Psycho-gastroenterological profile of an Italian population of children with disorders of gut-brain interaction: a case-control study

BACKGROUND Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) are common, but knowledge about their physiopathology is still poor, nor valid tools have been used to evaluate them in childhood. AIM To develop a psycho-gastroenterological questionnaire (PGQ) to assess the psycho-gastroenterological profile and social characteristics of a pediatric population with and without DGBI. METHODS One hundred and nineteen Italian children (age 11-18) were included: 28 outpatient patients with DGBI (Rome IV criteria) and 91 healthy controls. They filled the PGQ, faces pain scale revised (FPS-R), Bristol stool chart, gastrointestinal symptoms rating scale, state-trait anxiety inventory, Toronto alexithymia scale 20, perceived self-efficacy in the management of negative emotions and expression of positive emotions (APEN-G, APEP-G), irritable bowel syndrome-quality of life questionnaire, school performances, tobacco use, early life events, degree of digitalization. RESULTS Compared to controls, patients had more medical examinations (35% of them went to the doctor more than five times), a higher school performance (23% vs 13%, P < 0.05), didn’t use tobacco (never vs 16%, P < 0.05), had early life events (28% vs 1% P < 0.05) and a higher percentage of pain classified as 4 in the FPS-R during the examination (14% vs 7%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Pediatric outpatients with DGBI had a higher prevalence of early life events, a lower quality of life, more medical examinations rising health care costs, lower anxiety levels.