Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Patients With Anorectal Malformation And Hirschsprung Disease

The management of anorectal malformations (ARM) and Hirschsprung Disease (HD) involves multiple interventions and lifelong follow-up. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in patients with ARM and HD.

After IRB approval, a total of 30 patients with ARM and HD met inclusion criteria and completed the DSM-5 PTSD Checklist (PCL-5), a validated 20-item questionnaire assessing PTSD symptoms. PCL-5 scores between 31 and 33 suggest probable PTSD. Participants were eligible if they were aged 12 years or older and had a diagnosis of ARM or HD. Exclusion criteria included concurrent neurological or chromosomal anomalies, age under 12, and refusal to participate.

All 30 participants (median age: 12-64 years, 76.6 % White) completed the survey, with an even gender distribution. Educational attainment varied: 30 % held a bachelor's degree, and 20 % had less than a high school education. Three participants (10 %) were unable to work. ARM diagnosis was present in 27 patients (90 %). Twelve respondents (44.4 %) scored >31 on the PCL-5, with 62.9 % reporting "moderate" or greater symptoms across all domains. The most frequently reported stressors were anal dilation/enema treatments (43.2 %) and the effects of the diagnosis on body image and social life (39.9 %).

The high prevalence of PTSD symptoms among patients with ARM and HD underscores the urgent need for psychological support. Nearly half of the participants met the provisional criteria for PTSD, with a significant number exhibiting moderate to severe symptoms. Early integration of mental health care could be beneficial and potentially improve outcomes in this population.

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