The Impact of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program for Pediatric Patients With Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction...

Pediatric disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) often cooccur with a variety of mental health conditions. This analysis examines the impact of a brief cognitive behavioral program (ADAPT; Aim to Decrease Anxiety and Pain Treatment) targeting pain and anxiety in youth with DGBI and comorbid mental health diagnoses.

This secondary analysis of a clinical trial includes participants between the ages of 9 to 14 with DGBI, randomized to ADAPT plus medical treatment as usual (TAU), or TAU alone. Participants completed the Anxiety Disorder Interview Schedule for DSM-IV, Child Version (ADIS-IV-C) to determine if they met criteria for a mental health diagnosis at baseline and at post assessment 8 weeks later. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA)-style logistic regression models were used to assess whether ADAPT+TAU had an impact on mental health diagnoses compared to TAU alone.

ADAPT+TAU was associated with a lower posttest rate of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) compared to TAU (26.4% vs 46.1%, OR = 3.11, 95% CI = [1.03, 9.41]). Although additional diagnoses trended in similar directions, no other rates of diagnoses across other mental health conditions met the threshold for significance at posttest.

ADAPT is associated with reductions in GAD diagnoses in youth with DGBI. Although not a target of ADAPT, there appeared to be a generalization of treatment effects on other mental health conditions, but larger controlled studies are needed.