Abstract
This study examined the incidence and correlates of functional gastrointestinal symptoms in children with anxiety disorders.
Participants were 6–13 year old children diagnosed with one or more anxiety disorders (n = 54) and non-clinical control children (n = 51). Telephone diagnostic interviews were performed with parents to determine the presence and absence of anxiety disorders
in children. Parents completed a questionnaire that elicited information about their child’s gastrointestinal symptoms associated
with functional gastrointestinal disorders in children, as specified by the paediatric Rome criteria (Caplan et al., Journal
of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition, 41, 296–304, 2005a). Parents and children also completed a symptom severity measure of anxiety. As expected, children with anxiety disorders
were significantly more likely to have symptoms of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID), compared to children without
anxiety disorders. That is, 40.7 % of anxious children had symptoms of a FGID compared to 5.9 % of non-anxious control children.
Children with anxiety disorders were significantly more likely to have symptoms of functional constipation, and showed a trend
for a higher incidence of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms compared to non-anxious control children. Furthermore, higher
anxiety symptom severity was characteristic of anxious children with symptoms of FGID, compared to anxious children without
FGID symptoms and non-anxious control children. Also, children with anxiety disorders, regardless of FGID symptoms, were more
likely to have a biological family member, particularly a parent or grandparent, with a gastrointestinal problem, compared
to non-anxious control children. The high incidence of FGID symptoms in children with anxiety disorders warrants further research
on whether gastrointestinal symptoms reduce following psychological treatments for childhood anxiety disorders, such as cognitive
behavioural therapy.
Participants were 6–13 year old children diagnosed with one or more anxiety disorders (n = 54) and non-clinical control children (n = 51). Telephone diagnostic interviews were performed with parents to determine the presence and absence of anxiety disorders
in children. Parents completed a questionnaire that elicited information about their child’s gastrointestinal symptoms associated
with functional gastrointestinal disorders in children, as specified by the paediatric Rome criteria (Caplan et al., Journal
of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition, 41, 296–304, 2005a). Parents and children also completed a symptom severity measure of anxiety. As expected, children with anxiety disorders
were significantly more likely to have symptoms of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID), compared to children without
anxiety disorders. That is, 40.7 % of anxious children had symptoms of a FGID compared to 5.9 % of non-anxious control children.
Children with anxiety disorders were significantly more likely to have symptoms of functional constipation, and showed a trend
for a higher incidence of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms compared to non-anxious control children. Furthermore, higher
anxiety symptom severity was characteristic of anxious children with symptoms of FGID, compared to anxious children without
FGID symptoms and non-anxious control children. Also, children with anxiety disorders, regardless of FGID symptoms, were more
likely to have a biological family member, particularly a parent or grandparent, with a gastrointestinal problem, compared
to non-anxious control children. The high incidence of FGID symptoms in children with anxiety disorders warrants further research
on whether gastrointestinal symptoms reduce following psychological treatments for childhood anxiety disorders, such as cognitive
behavioural therapy.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-13
- DOI 10.1007/s10802-012-9657-0
- Authors
- Allison M. Waters, School of Psychology, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt Campus, Brisbane, Qld 4122, Australia
- Elizabeth Schilpzand, School of Psychology, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt Campus, Brisbane, Qld 4122, Australia
- Clare Bell, School of Psychology, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt Campus, Brisbane, Qld 4122, Australia
- Lynn S. Walker, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Kari Baber, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Journal Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2835
- Print ISSN 0091-0627