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Correlates of depression in new onset pediatric inflammatory bowel disease
P M Burke1, D Neigut, S Kocoshis
1University of Pittsburgh, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, PA 15213.
Child Psychiatry and Human Development
|January 1, 1994
Insights
New-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children is linked to depression. Depressed children with IBD often have less severe illness but more family conflict and life events.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Psychosomatic Medicine
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses chronic gastrointestinal conditions.
- Pediatric IBD diagnosis is increasing.
- Mental health comorbidities, including depression, are common in chronic childhood illnesses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in children with new-onset inflammatory bowel disease.
- To explore the relationship between depressive symptoms and clinical/familial factors in pediatric IBD.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (Kiddie-SADS) interview.
- Assessed 36 children diagnosed with new-onset inflammatory bowel disease.
- Collected data on illness severity, maternal depression history, life events, and family dynamics.
Main Results:
- Five out of 36 children (13.9%) met criteria for depression.
- Ten additional children (27.8%) exhibited depressive symptoms.
- Depressed children had less severe IBD, a higher likelihood of maternal depression history, more stressful life events, and families with lower cohesion and higher conflict.
Conclusions:
- Depressive symptoms are a notable comorbidity in children with new-onset IBD.
- Factors such as family environment and life stressors may influence depression in pediatric IBD.
- Further research into the interplay of psychological and biological factors in pediatric IBD is warranted.
Abstract:
Of thirty six children with new-onset inflammatory bowel disease given a Kiddie-SADS interview, five children were depressed and ten had some depressive symptoms. Depressed children had less severe illness, and were more likely to have a maternal history of depression, more life events, and families characterized by less cohesion and more conflict.