Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 16, 2026
Intracerebroventricular Delivery of Gut-Derived Microbial Metabolites in Freely Moving Mice
Published on: June 2, 2022
Risk Factors for Transition of Care in Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction: A Narrative Review and Expert Opinion
Miguel Saps1, Samantha Arrizabalo1, Jose M Garza2
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
Insights
Identifying risk factors for persistent disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) is crucial for developing effective transition programs. Female sex, psychological distress, and family history are key indicators for long-term symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Neurogastroenterology
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI) significantly impact children's quality of life, with 40% experiencing persistent symptoms into adulthood.
- Transition programs for adolescents with DGBI are scarce, lacking widely accepted care guidelines.
- Identifying risk factors for symptom persistence is vital for designing targeted transition strategies and programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify risk factors associated with the persistence of Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI) from childhood/adolescence into adulthood.
- To inform the development of specialized transition care programs and guidelines for pediatric DGBI patients.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive narrative review was performed.
- Predefined keywords were utilized to systematically search for relevant literature.
- The review focused on identifying risk factors for persistent DGBI in pediatric populations.
Main Results:
- Strong evidence indicates that female sex, psychological distress, and a family history of DGBI are significant risk factors for symptom persistence.
- Certain comorbidities were also associated with a higher likelihood of persistent DGBI.
- Other potential risk factors require further investigation due to limited supporting data.
Conclusions:
- Transition programs should prioritize adolescents with multiple identified risk factors for DGBI.
- Multidisciplinary teams, including neurogastroenterologists, dietitians, psychologists, and social workers, are essential for these programs.
- Tertiary prevention strategies, such as psychological support, school-based interventions, and management of anxiety and sleep issues, may mitigate symptom persistence.
Background:
Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) have a significant impact on the quality of life of children and families. Forty percent of children with recurrent abdominal pain continue to have symptoms into adulthood. Specialized programs for the transition of adolescents with DGBI to adult care are scarce. There are no widely accepted guidelines for transition of care. Identifying risk factors for persistence of symptoms into adulthood is key to identifying the optimal population that should be part of such programs and guidelines design.
Methods:
A narrative comprehensive review was conducted using predefined keywords to identify risk factors for persistent DGBI in children/adolescents.
Results:
Female sex, psychological distress, family history of DGBI, and certain comorbidities had stronger evidence for persistence, whereas other risk factors rely on limited data.
Conclusions:
It is suggested that transition programs should focus on adolescents presenting with multiple coexisting risk factors. The program should at least include pediatric and adult neurogastroenterologists, dieticians, psychologists, and social workers. Tertiary prevention through psychological support, school-based programs, and management of anxiety and sleep disturbances may reduce the persistence of symptoms. Prospective studies should refine risk stratification and guide transition strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:17Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
01:20Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
01:29Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management