Quality of Life and Psychiatric Comorbidity in Children and Adolescents with Functional Constipation: A Case-Control Study

Background: The behavioral and psychological problems associated with chronic constipation include a wide range of disorders, which lead to impaired quality of life. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate psychiatric disorders and quality of life in children and adolescents suffering from chronic functional constipation. Materials and Methods: In a case-control clinical trial, 55 children and adolescents with functional constipation and 55 individuals without constipation were included into case and control groups, respectively. After taking medical history and physical examination, three questionnaires including demographic information, pediatric quality of life (PedsQL) questionnaire, and strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) were provided to parents, children, and adolescents. Collected data were coded and analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The mean child self-reported and parent-reported scores of PedsQL were 54.67±3.9 and 49.86±3.2 in the case group, while it was 63.26±4 and 66.09±3.4 in the controls. Only parent-reported quality of life score was statistically different among case and control participants (p =0.014). The emotional performance of quality of life was statistically different based on both self and parents’ reports (p=0.016 and 0.024, respectively). Total SDQ score was in abnormal levels in 93% and 83% of the case and control participants, which was insignificant (p =0.631). There was no statistically difference in SDQ subgroups between the two groups. Conclusion: Quality of life and emotional performance are impaired in children with functional constipation and they should be screened for consequent disorders. Treatment and management of these patients can be improved through evaluating constipation related indices, quality of life, and referring at risk patients to related specialists