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. 2024 Jun 12;41(3):292-298.
doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmad070.

Irritable bowel syndrome in children with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms in primary care

Esmee M Hogervorst  1 , Ilse N Ganzevoort  1 , Marjolein Y Berger  1 , Gea A Holtman  1
Affiliations

Irritable bowel syndrome in children with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms in primary care

Esmee M Hogervorst et al. Fam Pract. .

Abstract

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder in children. However, in primary care, it is still unknown whether there are differences in the prognosis of children with IBS compared to other diagnostic subgroups. Therefore, our aim was to describe the course of symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for children with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms who either do or do not fulfil the Rome criteria for IBS in primary care. Second, we compared the diagnosis of the general practitioner (GP) with the Rome criteria.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study with 1-year follow-up, including children aged 4-18 years with chronic diarrhoea and/or chronic abdominal pain in primary care. During follow-up, the Rome III questionnaire, Child Health Questionnaire, and symptom questionnaires were completed.

Results: A total of 60/104 children (57.7%) fulfilled the Rome criteria for IBS at baseline. Compared to children without IBS, children with IBS were more commonly referred to secondary care, used more laxatives, and more often developed chronic diarrhoea and low physical HRQoL during 1 year. The diagnosis "IBS" from the GP matched the Rome criteria for only 10% of children, as most were diagnosed with "Constipation."

Conclusions: There seems to be a difference in the treatment and prognosis of symptoms and HRQoL between children with and without IBS in primary care. This suggests that it is relevant to differentiate between these groups. The evaluation and use of feasible criteria to define IBS in different healthcare settings remains subject for further studies.

Keywords: child; chronic abdominal pain; chronic diarrhoea; irritable bowel syndrome; primary care; prognosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Twelve-month course of the percentage of a) chronic abdominal pain in children with and without irritable bowel syndrome; b) chronic diarrhoea in children with and without irritable bowel syndrome; c) chronic abdominal pain in young and old children in both groups; d) chronic diarrhoea in young and old children in both groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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