The relationship between functional gastrointestinal symptoms and psychiatric symptoms among children ages 4 to 10 years

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between functional gastrointestinal symptoms and psychiatric symptoms in children ages 4 to 10 years and typically developing peers comparatively. Children admitted to the Hacettepe University, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic and their typically developing peers qualifying the criteria of having no psychiatric complaints or symptoms previously were enrolled to form the study and the control groups. Demographic data form, Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised/Short Form, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms were used. Data from 446 participants (244 children in the study group and 202 children in the control group) were qualified to be included in the statistical analysis of the study. The mean age of all participants was 7.48 ± 1.92. The incidence of living with a single parent was higher in the study group. The education levels of parents were higher in the control group. The scores for oppositional behaviour, cognitive problems/inattention, hyperactivity and attention deficit hyperactivity index scales on the Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised/Short Form were significantly higher in the study group. On the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity-inattention, peer problems, total difficulty score, internalizing and externalizing behavior scores were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group. When the study and the control groups analyzed separately for whether or not fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGD), the attention deficit hyperactivity index and hyperactivity scores on the Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised/Short Form were higher in children fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for FGD. Emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity-inattention, total difficulty score, externalizing and internalizing scores on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire were higher in children fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for FGD. Irritable bowel syndrome, functional constipation, dyspepsia and functional abdominal pain symptoms were significantly more frequent in the study group consisting of children with psychiatric complaints. Overall, internalizing symptoms were more common in children who met FGD diagnostic criteria than those who did not. The study results were found consistent with the existing literature.