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Obsessive-compulsive symptoms in childhood inflammatory bowel disease and cystic fibrosis
Insights
Children with chronic illnesses like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and cystic fibrosis show obsessive-compulsive symptoms. These symptoms may stem from the illness itself, not specific conditions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric gastroenterology
- Child psychology
- Chronic illness research
Background:
- Obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) are increasingly recognized in pediatric populations.
- The relationship between chronic gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses and OCS requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in children with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and cystic fibrosis.
- To explore potential correlations between illness duration and symptom severity.
Main Methods:
- The Leyton Obsessional Inventory-Child Version was administered to 33 children with Crohn's disease, 11 with ulcerative colitis, and 46 with cystic fibrosis.
- Statistical analyses were performed to compare symptom scores across the three groups and examine correlations with illness duration.
Main Results:
- Children with ulcerative colitis reported higher levels of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and resistance compared to those with Crohn's disease.
- Children with cystic fibrosis exhibited intermediate scores, though not significantly different from either gastrointestinal group.
- A negative correlation was observed between illness duration and symptom severity in both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis groups.
Conclusions:
- Obsessive-compulsive symptoms are not exclusive to Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis in children.
- The findings suggest that OCS in pediatric chronic illness may be a secondary manifestation related to the overall burden and demands of managing the condition.
Abstract:
The Leyton Obsessional Inventory-Child Version was administered to 33 children with Crohn's disease, 11 with ulcerative colitis, and 46 with cystic fibrosis. Subjects with ulcerative colitis scored significantly higher on total number of obsessional symptoms and degree of resistance to symptoms than subjects with Crohn's disease. Scores of subjects with cystic fibrosis were intermediate between those of the ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease groups. However, neither the ulcerative colitis group nor the Crohn's disease group differed significantly from the cystic fibrosis group that were statistically significant. Duration of illness was negatively correlated with symptoms in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The results suggest that obsessive-compulsive symptoms are not specific to Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis and that obsessive-compulsive symptoms in pediatric chronic illness may be secondary to the demands of the illness.