Fatigue in Children and Adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Author Information
Author(s): Zuo Yahui, Cao Jinjin, Wang Yuanyuan, Cai Wenqian, Li Mei
Primary Institution: Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University
Hypothesis
This study sought to investigate the prevalence and status of fatigue in a cohort of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients in China.
Conclusion
Fatigue is a common symptom affecting many pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients, influenced by factors such as region, age, disease severity, BMI, and medication use.
Supporting Evidence
- 86% of individuals with moderate to severe IBD experience fatigue.
- Fatigue is the most annoying symptom in patients with inactive disease.
- Children living in urban areas reported lower fatigue levels than those in rural areas.
- Fatigue severity is positively correlated with age in children and adolescents.
- Use of biological agents is associated with lower fatigue levels.
Takeaway
Many kids with inflammatory bowel disease feel very tired, and things like where they live and how sick they are can make it worse.
Methodology
A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was conducted with 110 patients, assessing fatigue using the Multidimensional Fatigue Scale.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to convenience sampling and the reliance on self-reported data.
Limitations
The study's cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and the small sample size may overlook some fatigue-associated factors.
Participant Demographics
Participants were aged 6 to 18 years, with 67.62% male and 90.48% diagnosed with Crohn's disease.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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