Giorgio, Valentina (V);Venezia, Ilaria (I);Pensabene, Licia (L);Blasi, Elisa (E);Rigante, Donato (D);Mariotti, Paolo (P);Stella, Giuseppe (G);Margiotta, Gaia (G);Quatrale, Giovanna (G);Marano, Giuseppe (G);Mazza, Marianna (M);Gasbarrini, Antonio (A);Gaetani, Eleonora (E);

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World J Clin Pediatr.2025 Mar 09;14(1):97543.doi:10.5409/wjcp.v14.i1.97543

Abstract

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% 13%, < 0.05), didn't use tobacco (never 16%, < 0.05), had early life events (28% 1% < 0.05) and a higher percentage of pain classified as 4 in the FPS-R during the examination (14% 7%, < 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.