Abdominal Pain and Health Related Quality of Life in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objective To summarize rates of abdominal pain in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease, and to examine associations of abdominal pain, disease activity, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods 44 youths aged 11-18 years completed ratings of abdominal pain, whereas youths and mothers provided ratings of HRQoL at Time 1 (T1) and Time 2 (T2; 6 months later). Disease activity was rated by physicians at T1. Results At T1, 55% of participants reported pain in the past week, with most in clinical remission. Approximately one-third reported abdominal pain at neither (absent), either (transient), or both (chronic) T1 and T2, respectively. T1 abdominal pain did not contribute significant variance to T1 HRQoL beyond disease activity. However, pain group uniquely predicted T2 HRQoL, with chronic abdominal pain associated with lower HRQoL. Conclusions Abdominal pain is prevalent in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease, even during clinical remission. Interventions to address abdominal pain also may enhance HRQoL.