American Journal of Gastroenterology
Cure8 research brief
Why This Matters
DGBI-like symptoms are common in children whose IBD is biochemically quiescent and are associated with worse quality of life and more anxiety—issues that can affect daily functioning and disease management even when inflammation is controlled.
Who Should Pay Attention
Pediatric IBD patients and their caregivers, pediatric gastroenterologists, psychologists and mental-health providers working with IBD patients, and researchers studying gut–brain interactions in IBD.
Study Snapshot
Story typeResearch paper
Evidence typeResearch paper
Source depthJournal abstract
What To Know
This multicenter prospective pediatric study enrolled 131 children with biochemically quiescent IBD and 122 age- and sex-matched healthy controls and used Rome IV criteria to assess DGBI-like symptoms. About one-third of children with quiescent IBD met criteria for DGBI-like symptoms (24.4% had functional abdominal pain disorders).
Children with IBD plus DGBI-like symptoms had lower IMPACT III quality-of-life scores (notably in IBD symptoms, energy, and social domains) and higher PROMIS anxiety and visceral sensitivity scores compared with children without DGBI. Female sex was the only independent predictor identified in this cohort.
The study screened controls for subclinical inflammation using fecal calprotectin.
Keep In Mind
This article is an abstract-level prospective multicenter study from ESPGHAN centers (January 2021–August 2023). Findings are based on symptom questionnaires (Rome IV), validated QoL and anxiety instruments, and biochemical remission criteria; it does not imply treatment recommendations.
The study screened healthy controls with fecal calprotectin to exclude subclinical inflammation.
Source Details
Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.
Research paper
Evidence type derived from source or registry metadata.
PublicationAmerican Journal of Gastroenterology
PublisherOvid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
AuthorsMassimo Martinelli, Simona Salomone, Caterina Strisciuglio +12 more
Study typeJournal Article
Indexed viaCrossref
Source typeResearch paper
PublishedJul 22, 2026, 12:00 AM
Content availableJournal abstract
This Cure8 brief is based on source text from the linked article. Cure8 is informational only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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