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Determinants of depression in recent onset pediatric inflammatory bowel disease
P Burke1, S A Kocoshis, R Chandra
1Behavioral Science Division, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2583.
Insights
Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients diagnosed with depression showed fewer physical symptoms but experienced more family conflict and life stressors. Early identification of depression in pediatric IBD is crucial.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Child Psychiatry
- Psychosomatic Medicine
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasingly diagnosed in children.
- Mental health comorbidities, such as depression, are common in chronic pediatric illnesses.
- The interplay between depression and IBD severity in pediatric populations requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of depression in children with new-onset inflammatory bowel disease.
- To explore the relationship between depression and clinical severity of pediatric IBD.
- To examine psychosocial factors, including life events and family conflict, in depressed versus nondepressed pediatric IBD patients.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of thirteen children with new-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) underwent diagnostic interviews.
- The Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version-Epidemiologic Version (Kiddie-SADS-E) was used for child psychiatric assessment.
- Maternal depression history was assessed using the Adult Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Lifetime Version (Adult-SADS-L).
Main Results:
- Three out of thirteen children (23%) were diagnosed with depression at the time of their IBD diagnosis.
- Depressed children exhibited less severe IBD symptoms and did not require steroid treatment compared to their nondepressed counterparts.
- Children with depression reported significantly more adverse life events and their families displayed greater conflict.
Conclusions:
- Depression is a relevant comorbidity in new-onset pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.
- Depression in pediatric IBD may be associated with fewer physical symptoms but heightened psychosocial stressors.
- Further research is warranted to understand the impact of depression on the long-term course and management of pediatric IBD.
Abstract:
Thirteen children with new-onset inflammatory bowel disease were given a Kiddie-SADS-E interview. Three were depressed at diagnosis. Six mothers had a history of depression based on Adult-SADS-L interviews. The depressed children were less severely ill than the nondepressed children and had not required steroids. However, the depressed children had significantly more life events and their families showed more evidence of conflict than did the nondepressed children.