Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Chronic Salmonella Infection Induced Intestinal Fibrosis
Published on: September 22, 2019
Long-term psychosocial outcomes reported by children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease
Laura M Mackner1, Wallace V Crandall
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio 43205, USA.
Insights
Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) generally show normal psychosocial functioning, similar to healthy peers. However, a small group experiences significant behavioral/emotional issues, warranting further investigation for targeted support.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric gastroenterology
- Child psychology
- Chronic disease management
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) significantly impacts children's lives.
- Understanding the psychosocial well-being of pediatric IBD patients is crucial for comprehensive care.
- Previous research highlights potential challenges in behavioral and emotional functioning for children with chronic illnesses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare psychosocial functioning in children with IBD versus healthy children.
- To assess behavioral/emotional functioning, social competence, self-esteem, coping strategies, and social support.
- To identify potential differences in psychosocial adjustment between these groups.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 50 children diagnosed with IBD for at least one year was compared to 42 healthy children (ages 11-17).
- Participants completed validated questionnaires on psychosocial functioning.
- Disease activity was assessed using the Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index for IBD patients.
Main Results:
- Overall, children with IBD reported normal psychosocial functioning, with no significant group differences in most areas.
- A subset (20%) of children with IBD experienced clinically significant behavioral/emotional symptoms, similar to the healthy group.
- Disease activity (past or present) did not predict emotional difficulties in children with IBD.
Conclusions:
- Most children with mild IBD, diagnosed for over a year, exhibit psychosocial functioning comparable to healthy peers.
- A notable minority of children with IBD face significant behavioral/emotional challenges.
- Future research should focus on identifying at-risk children and developing effective interventions for psychosocial difficulties in pediatric IBD.
Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to compare the self-reported psychosocial functioning of children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to that of healthy children in the areas of behavioral/emotional functioning, social competence, self-esteem, stress coping strategies, and social support.
Methods:
Participants were 50 children with IBD diagnosed at least 1 yr before enrollment, and 42 healthy comparison children aged 11-17 yr. They completed a series of well-validated questionnaires assessing psychosocial functioning. The treating gastroenterologists of participating children with IBD completed the Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index during a clinic visit within a week of completion of the questionnaires.
Results:
Mean scores fell in the normal range on all normed measures, and there were no significant differences between group means on any of the measures. A subset of 20% of children with IBD reported clinically significant behavioral/emotional symptoms, even a year after diagnosis, which was similar to results found in the healthy comparison group. Most children with IBD were in remission or had mild disease activity at the time of the study. Neither past nor current disease factors differentiated those with significant emotional problems.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that most children with currently mild IBD who have been diagnosed for at least a year report normal psychosocial functioning that is similar to that of healthy children. A subset of these children report significant behavioral/emotional difficulty, and future research should seek to identify which children are most at risk for these problems and how best to intervene.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...