The role of distress and pain catastrophizing on the health-related quality of life of children with inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVES: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be particularly challenging during the pediatric age with a relevant impact on patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Disease activity accounts for only a small part of the variability in HRQoL, and psychological factors can play a significant role. We aimed to evaluate the impact of patient's distress and pain catastrophizing on children and adolescents with IBD. METHODS: We prospectively recruited children aged 8 to 18 with IBD and recorded demographic and disease characteristics. Patients answered questionnaires on HRQoL (IMPACT III), distress (distress thermometer [DT]), and pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale-Children [PCS-C]). Univariate and multivariate regression models analysis were used to evaluate correlations between patients' characteristics, disease activity, distress, pain catastrophizing, and HRQoL. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were enrolled (median age 13.6, 49.3% Crohn disease, 50.7% ulcerative colitis). Median HRQoL, DT, and PCS-C scores were 78.6 (interquartile range 68.0-87.1), 3.0 (1.0-5.0), and 12.0 (4.0-23.0), respectively. Patient's distress and pain catastrophizing levels significantly correlated with HRQoL. Pain catastrophizing had the strongest impact on HRQoL (Spearman correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.73), followed by distress (ρ = 0.67), and ulcerative colitis severity (ρ = 0.67). The DT and the PCS-C scores were significantly associated (ρ = 0.46). CONCLUSIONS: Distress and pain catastrophizing have a significative impact on HRQoL in young patients with IBD. Physicians should recognize the role of these psychological factors and consider cognitive-behavioral therapy to optimize the patient's health.