Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
Video Imaging and Spatiotemporal Maps to Analyze Gastrointestinal Motility in Mice
Published on: February 3, 2016
Health-related quality of life instruments in pediatric disorders of gut-brain interaction: a COSMIN-based systematic
Zehui Zhao1,2, Yueyue Chen1,2, Huiyu Zeng1,2
1First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Insights
This review evaluated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instruments for pediatric disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI). PedsQL 4.0 is recommended for general use, while disease-specific scales better capture GI impacts.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Patient-Reported Outcomes
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI) significantly impact children's lives.
- Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a crucial outcome measure in pediatric DGBI.
- Systematic evaluation of HRQoL instruments is needed for accurate assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and evaluate the measurement properties of HRQoL instruments used in pediatric DGBI.
- To identify the most suitable instruments for assessing HRQoL in children with DGBI.
- To highlight gaps in evidence regarding instrument validity and responsiveness.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a systematic review following COSMIN methodology.
- Searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases.
- Included studies assessing HRQoL measurement properties in children (0-18 years) with DGBI.
Main Results:
- Evaluated nine HRQoL instruments across four generic and five disease-specific categories.
- Assessed instruments across six pediatric DGBI subtypes.
- PedsQL 4.0 demonstrated strong evidence among generic instruments.
- Disease-specific instruments like PedsQL GI Scales showed relevance for GI impacts.
Conclusions:
- PedsQL 4.0 is suitable for broad health status assessment in pediatric DGBI.
- Disease-specific instruments, particularly PedsQL GI Symptom and Worry Scales, are recommended for DGBI outcomes.
- Further research is needed to complete the evaluation of structural validity and responsiveness for improved outcome measurement.
Background:
Functional gastrointestinal disorders, now referred to as disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI), impose substantial functional and psychosocial burdens on affected children and their families. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has become an important patient-reported outcome in this field. This review aimed to systematically evaluate the measurement properties of instruments used to assess HRQoL in pediatric DGBI.
Methods:
A systematic review was conducted following the COSMIN methodology. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from database inception to Oct 23, 2025. Studies evaluating the measurement properties of patient-reported outcome measures assessing HRQoL in children aged 0-18 years with disorders of gut-brain interaction were included.
Results:
14 studies evaluating nine health-related quality of life instruments were included. These comprised four generic instruments (PedsQL 4.0, EQ-5D-Y, CHU-9D, and the PedsQL Family Impact Module) and five disease-specific instruments (PedsQL Gastrointestinal Symptoms Scales, PedsQL Gastrointestinal Worry Scales, Infant Colic Questionnaire, PedFCQuest-PR, and the Defecation Disorder List). The instruments were evaluated across six pediatric DGBI subtypes: cyclic vomiting syndrome, infant colic, functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, functional abdominal pain-not otherwise specified, and functional defecation disorders.
Conclusion:
Among generic instruments, PedsQL 4.0 has the most comprehensive supporting evidence and can be used when a broad assessment of health status is required. Disease-specific instruments, particularly the PedsQL Gastrointestinal Symptoms Scales and the PedsQL Gastrointestinal Worry Scales, align more closely with gastrointestinal-related impacts and may be better suited for evaluating DGBI-related outcomes. Evidence for several measurement properties remains incomplete, especially for structural validity and responsiveness. More systematic evaluation of these instruments will help improve outcome measurement and strengthen the interpretation of treatment effects in pediatric DGBI.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Gut-Brain Axis
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:
01:17Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System I: Subjective Data
Health History
The initial step in assessing the GI system is obtaining a comprehensive health history. This includes inquiring about the patient's history or presence of problems related to...
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...
01:20Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
01:23Irritable Bowel Syndrome