Autonomic nervous system abnormalities in children with inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome: a comparative study.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the subjective and objective autonomic nervous system (ANS) abnormalities in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) compared with healthy children (HC).

Methods: In total, 69 children were enrolled: 23 in the IBD, 28 in the IBS, and 18 HC group. ANS symptoms were evaluated using the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score (COMPASS-31). The severity and distribution of ANS function were quantitated using adrenergic, cardiovagal, and sudomotor indices of the Composite Autonomic Severity Scale (CASS). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL).

Results: Children with IBS scored highest on the COMPASS-31, followed by patients with IBD and HC (median 11.5, 6.3, and 1.7, respectively; p = 0.001). There was no significant difference between groups in CASS (p = 0.09); however, children with IBD had a higher score on the sudomotor index (p = 0.012). There was a significant difference in symptomatic autonomic dysfunction (defined as COMPASS-31 > 7.913 and CASS > 0) between children with IBS (61.5%) compared with children with IBD (42.1%) and HC (7.1%), p = 0.004. In multivariable logistic regression, the number of squats decreased the probability of special health care needs by 17.2%, and the presence of symptomatic autonomic dysfunction increased the probability by 515.4%.

Conclusions: The ANS is frequently affected in children with IBD and IBS; children with IBS show greater autonomic symptom burden, while children with IBD have greater sudomotor dysfunction. HRQoL is significantly influenced by observed ANS changes in both groups.