Abstract

Objective: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) are accompanied by some psychiatric disturbances some of which are suggested to have a common pathophysiological pathway related to the intestinal malfunction, The goal of the study was to evaluate the presence of symptoms associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children with IBD and to investigate the relation of symptoms to their clinical features.
Methods: A total of 42 children with IBD, either ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease and 45 healthy controls were included. Demographic features, the duration of the IBD and currently used medications were recorded. The Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) and Turgay DSM-IV Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale (T-DSM-IV-S) were employed for ASD and ADHD related symptoms.
Result: The mean total SCQ score, the SCQ reciprocal social interaction score, and the SCQ communication score were significantly higher in children with IBD indicating an increased likelihood for ASD whereas total T-DSM-IV-S and subscale scores for hyperactivity- impulsivity and inattention were not statistically different between groups. However, 4 patients with IBD (10%) presented an increased likelihood for ADHD with more positive items whereas none of the healthy controls presented an increased likelihood for ADHD.
Conclusion: Children with IBD may have a higher risk of having ASD and ADHD without regard to the age, age at disease onset and the duration of IBD. Young patients with IBD should be assessed in terms of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Keywords: Inflammatory bowel diseases; Autism spectrum disorder; Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder; ADHD