HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN PEDIATRIC GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS: EVIDENCE FROM AN INDIAN TERTIARY CARE SETTING
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/gv05z384Keywords:
Pediatrics, Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Organic GI Diseases, Health-Related Quality of LifeAbstract
Background: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and organic gastrointestinal (GI) diseases are common among children and significantly impact their quality of life. However, comparative data on the extent of this impact in Indian pediatric populations remain limited. Objective: To assess and compare health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in pediatric patients with FGIDs and organic GI diseases against healthy controls using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) 4.0 Generic Core Scales. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences (SLIMS), Puducherry. A total of 300 children aged 2–18 years were enrolled: 100 with FGIDs, 100 with organic GI diseases, and 100 healthy controls matched by age and sex. HRQOL was assessed using the child self-report and parent proxy- report versions of the PedsQL 4.0. Statistical analysis included Welch’s ANOVA and Games-Howell post hoc tests to compare group differences. Results: Children with FGIDs had the lowest HRQOL scores across all domains—Total Score (66.75±10.90), Physical Health (71.49±12.36), Psychosocial Health (66.31±13.87), and School Functioning (60.42±14.53). Organic GI patients scored moderately lower than healthy controls but significantly higher than FGID patients (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). School functioning was the most impacted domain in both patient groups. Conclusion: Pediatric patients with GI disorders, especially FGIDs, experience substantial HRQOL impairments. Routine assessment of HRQOL and integrated multidisciplinary care approaches are essential for improving clinical outcomes in this population.
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