Psychological problems in children with abdominal pain.
The prevalence of psychological problems was investigated in 44 children with abdominal pain of organic origin (Crohn's disease, 24; ulcerative colitis, 20), 16 children with non-organic abdominal pain, and 30 pain-free controls. A self-report battery of five tests was used to measure personal, family, and social adjustment. Compared with controls, all three abdominal-pain groups showed psychological problems. Of significance were depression and low self-esteem in patients with Crohn's disease, depression in those with ulcerative colitis, and low self-esteem in those with non-organic pain. No differences were found between patients with organic and those with non-organic pain. These findings indicate that psychological distress accompanies both organic and non-organic abdominal pain in children and that psychological evaluation may not readily distinguish organic from non-organic cases.
D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000523:psychology; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012008:Recurrence; D012649:Self Concept