Emotional dysregulation in adolescents with functional gastrointestinal disorders

In various gastrointestinal system diseases, emotional dysregulation has been shown to reduce pain tolerance and increase the severity of the disease. Increased emotional dysregulation during the adolescence period causes gastrointestinal symptoms to be more frequent and severe. In this study, Child Depression Inventory (CDI) scores were investigated in patients admitted to our clinic with functional gastrointestinal disorders.

According to Rome IV criteria, 200 patients with functional abdominal pain and dyspepsia aged 12-17 years were included in this study. 100 patients without a chronic disease were taken as control group. Patients completed the self-report questionnaires about symptoms, school performance, nutrition and sports habits. We used Child Depression Inventory (CDI) to assess the patients' depression.

The mean age of study group was 15.29 ± 1.48 years (12-17 years), median 16 years; 80% (160/200) were girls. The mean age of control group was 14.96 ± 1.66 years (12-17 years), median 15 years; 70% (70/100) were girls. There is no difference between the two groups for age and gender. Median depression score was 12.5 (range, 0-53) in the study group and 10.0 (range, 0-41) in the control group and a significant difference was found between the two groups (p = 0.014). School performance was revealed as 'very good' in 112 (56%) children in the study group and in 24 (24%) children in the control group and a significant difference was found between the two groups (p < 0.001). A negative correlation was found between school performance and depressive symptoms.

It is not clear that emotional dysregulation induces FGIDs or FGIDs cause emotional dysregulation. But it is known that these diseases are common in the adolescent age group. Incorporating social and physical activities into the educational processes of adolescents will have favorable effects on their academic performance as well as emotional regulation.