Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Youssef NN

Youssef NN, Perez ME. · No affiliation provided · J Pediatr. · Pubmed #18940348 No free full text.

This publication has no abstract.

Youssef NN, Di Lorenzo C. · Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Goryeb Children's Hospital/Atlantic Health System/University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Morristown, Morristown, NJ 07962, USA. · Dig Dis. · Pubmed #16849858 No free full text.

Abstract: The study of gastrointestinal motility has evolved to a sophisticated diagnostic technique that is widely used clinically to further guide management of children with complex gastrointestinal problems. Thorough comprehension requires a multidisciplinary approach with the integration of molecular and cell biology, organ physiology, and clinical observations. During the past decade there has been a dramatic increase in our knowledge of the enteric neuromuscular system. Continued exploration of targeted gene mutations in animal models has the potential of enhancing our understanding of congenital disorders of gastrointestinal motility. Experiments studying polymorphisms in serotonin transporter gene (SERT) and different therapeutic responses to serotonergic agents in adults with irritable bowel syndrome need to be carried out in children with functional bowel disorders. Additional considerations that need to be addressed if advances are to continue include increasing the number of specialists interest in motility disorders and identifying funding sources to support the establishment of research consortiums among pediatric centers.

Varni JW, Lane MM, Burwinkle TM, Fontaine EN, Youssef NN, Schwimmer JB, Pardee PE, Pohl JF, Easley DJ. · Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, College of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3137, USA. · J Dev Behav Pediatr. · Pubmed #17164617 No free full text.

Abstract: The primary aim of the study was to investigate the generic health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of pediatric patients meeting Rome II criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in comparison to healthy children. The secondary aim was to compare pediatric patients with IBS to pediatric patients with Rome II criteria diagnosed functional abdominal pain (FAP) and patients with diagnosed organic gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. The study also investigated the associations between GI symptoms with generic HRQOL and evaluated group differences in school days missed and days sick in bed and needing care. HRQOL was measured with the PedsQLtrade mark 4.0 Generic Core Scales (Physical, Emotional, Social, and School Functioning). The PedsQLtrade mark was administered in outpatient pediatric gastroenterology clinics in California, Texas, and New Jersey. A total of 287 families (280 child self-report, 286 parent proxy-report) with children diagnosed with IBS (n = 123), FAP (n = 82), or organic GI disorders (n = 82) participated. Pediatric patients with IBS demonstrated significantly lower Physical, Emotional, Social, and School Functioning in comparison to healthy children, and comparable HRQOL to patients with FAP and organic GI diagnoses. GI symptoms were significantly associated with generic HRQOL. Patients with IBS demonstrated a significantly greater number of days missed from school, days sick in bed/too ill to play, and days needing someone to care for them than healthy children, but significantly fewer days than patients with FAP and organic GI disorders. Pediatric patients with IBS demonstrated impaired HRQOL in dimensions measuring Physical, Emotional, Social, and School Functioning. These findings suggest the need for targeted interventions to address these dimensions of impaired HRQOL.

Youssef NN. · Center for Functional Gastroenterology and Motility Disorders, Goryeb Children's Hospital/Atlantic Health System, Morristown, NJ, USA. · J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. · Pubmed #15085031 No free full text.

This publication has no abstract.

Di Lorenzo C, Youssef NN, Sigurdsson L, Scharff L, Griffiths J, Wald A. · Division of Gastroenterology, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania, USA. · J Pediatr. · Pubmed #11743510 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate visceral sensitivity and psychologic profiles in children with functional gastrointestinal disorders. STUDY DESIGN: We measured visceral perception in the stomach and in the rectum by using an electronic barostat. Psychologic questionnaires were completed. Ten children with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP)(8 female, mean age 11.3 +/- 0.8 years), 10 children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (8 female, mean age 13.0 +/- 0.9 years), and 15 control children (8 female, mean age 12.7 +/- 1.2 years) completed the study. RESULTS: Thresholds for visceral perception in the rectum were decreased in patients with IBS (P <.001 vs control patients) and in patients with RAP (P <.05 vs control patients). Children with IBS had lower thresholds than children with RAP (P <.01). In contrast, thresholds for perception were decreased in the stomach of children with RAP (P <.005 vs control patients) but not in children with IBS. There were elevated anxiety scores in 45% of patients. Duration of symptoms was associated with higher scores of anxiety (P <.001) and depression (P <.02). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperalgesia was demonstrated in children with RAP and IBS; sites of hyperalgesia appear to be associated with different symptom phenotypes; anxiety was common, and there was an association between the duration of symptoms and increased scores for both anxiety and depression.