Pancreas. 2026 Apr 2. doi: 10.1097/MPA.0000000000002649. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Multiple psychological factors and related comorbidities affect children with chronic pancreatitis (CP) or acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP). We aimed to describe the frequency of psychological symptoms/diagnoses in children with CP/ARP and predict the severity of the disease burden based on these factors.
METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients ages >=5 years with prior history of CP/ARP seen by a pediatric psychologist as part of their evaluation for total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) at a single center. Symptoms of psychological disorders and prior psychological diagnoses were identified. Patients and their families completed pain questionnaires as part of clinical care. Demographic and pancreatic disease data were collected from electronic medical records.
KEY RESULTS: Of 105 children (mean age 12.1 3.5 y, 54.3% females, 84.4% white), 37.1% had a psychological diagnosis [20.0% anxiety, 13.3% depression, 23.8% attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), 4.8% post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)] while 86.7% displayed symptoms based on DSM-5 criteria (75.7% anxiety, 32.3% depression, 21.1% suicidal ideation, 40.2% panic). Regarding pain, 38.8% of patients reported daily abdominal pain, 24.3% weekly, 14.6% monthly, and 22.3% less than once per month. In the six months pre-psychology appointment, 70.9% used opioids in the inpatient setting, 25.7% used outpatient, and 45.2% were on a neuromodulator to control their pain. Median pain severity did not statistically differ by psychological diagnosis or symptoms (P=.16).
CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of psychological diagnoses/symptoms in patients with ARP/ CP including suicidal ideation. This highlights the need for future prospective studies to explore the role of mental health in disease outcomes in children with CP or ARP.
PMID:41925098 | DOI:10.1097/MPA.0000000000002649
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