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

Abstract

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 analog 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.