Pain and internalizing symptoms in youth with gastrointestinal conditions including recurrent abdominal pain, eosinophilic esophagitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease

Pain intensity, pain interference, internalizing symptoms, and quality of life (HRQOL) were explored in three symptomatically similar gastrointestinal disorders: Recurrent Abdominal Pain, Eosinophilic Esophagitis, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Caregiver-proxy report was gathered for 133 pediatric patients at the time of endoscopy. There was a significant difference in pain intensity and interference between diagnostic groups. Within the full sample there was a significant difference on the combined daytime functioning variable (pain interference and HRQOL) between participants with and without elevated internalizing symptoms. Assessment of internalizing symptoms should help guide intervention efforts for patients treated by gastroenterology specialists to improve functioning.