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Academic Performance among Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Population-Based Study
Harminder Singh1, Zoann Nugent2, Marni Brownell3
1University of Manitoba IBD Clinical and Research Center, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Insights
Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) achieve similar academic performance in grade 12 as their peers. Mental health conditions at diagnosis significantly impact educational outcomes for these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric gastroenterology
- Childhood inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) research
- Educational psychology
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects children and adolescents, potentially impacting their long-term development.
- Academic performance is a crucial aspect of adolescent development and future opportunities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the academic performance of children diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in grade 12.
- To identify factors influencing educational outcomes in pediatric IBD patients.
Main Methods:
- Population-based cohort study matching children with IBD (diagnosed <17 years) to controls.
- Grade 12 educational outcomes (standardized test scores, enrollment) assessed via database linkage.
- Statistical analysis (linear and logistic regression) adjusted for socioeconomic status and comorbidities.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in grade 12 language arts or mathematics scores between children with IBD and controls.
- Similar grade 12 enrollment rates observed in both groups.
- Lower socioeconomic status and co-occurring mental health problems were predictors of poorer academic outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) demonstrate comparable grade 12 academic achievement to their peers.
- Mental health status at the time of IBD diagnosis is a critical factor influencing educational attainment.
Objectives:
To determine grade 12 academic performance for children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Study Design:
Children diagnosed with IBD at age<17 years identified from the population-based University of Manitoba IBD Epidemiology Database were matched by age-, sex-, and area of residence to 10 randomly selected controls. Grade 12 educational outcomes (scores on the provincial grade 12 language arts and mathematics standards tests, and enrollment-in-grade-12-by- age-17) were determined by linkage to the province wide Manitoba Education Database. Linear and logistic regression analysis were used to compare the educational outcomes, adjusting for socioeconomic status and comorbidities and evaluate predictors of educational outcomes among children with IBD.
Results:
Grade 12 educational outcomes among 337 children with IBD were compared with 3093 without IBD. There were no significant differences among the 2 groups in the standardized scores (language arts: P=.31; mathematics: P=.48) or enrollment-in-grade-12-by- age-17 (P=.25). Lower socioeconomic status and diagnosis with mental health problems 6 months prior to and 6 months post-IBD diagnosis were independent predictors of worse educational outcomes. There was no significant effect of age of diagnosis of IBD, type of IBD (ulcerative colitis vs Crohn's disease), use of corticosteroids or immunomodulator agents, hospitalizations, or surgery for IBD.
Conclusions:
Children with IBD on average achieve similar levels of academic achievement in grade 12 as those without IBD. This study underscores the educational impact of mental health conditions at IBD diagnosis among children.
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