Department of Clinical Medicine

TY - JOUR

T1 - Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children and Adolescents With Neurofibromatosis Type 1

AU - Ejerskov, Cecilie

AU - Krogh, Klaus

AU - Ostergaard, John R

AU - Jønsson, Iben

AU - Haagerup, Annette

PY - 2018/6

Y1 - 2018/6

N2 - OBJECTIVES: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a complex genetic disorder characterized by symptoms of the skin and nervous system. A previous study indicated that constipation is common in children with NF1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the phenotype and prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in a population of 4-17-year-olds with NF1 compared to their unaffected siblings.METHODS: Gastrointestinal symptoms were assessed with a web-based, parent or self-administered, validated, Rome® III diagnostic questionnaire. Participants were recruited from one of two Danish National Centers of Expertise for NF1. Logistic regression was used to estimate the prevalence of functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome and constipation in each group and the groups were compared using odds ratio.RESULTS: We compared 102 NF1 patients (median age 10.3 years) and 46 of their unaffected siblings (median age 10 years). The overall likelihood of having gastrointestinal symptoms usually attributed to either functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome or constipation was 30.4% in patients vs. 10.9% in siblings, odds ratio 3.58 (95% CI: 1.30-9.79). The prevalence of constipation was 22.5% in patients and 4.3% in siblings, odds ratio 6.41 (95% CI: 1.45-28.24). The use of laxatives was 16% (n = 16) in patients and 2% (n = 1) in siblings.CONCLUSIONS: Overall, gastrointestinal symptoms attributed to functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome or constipation are more common in 4-17-year-olds with NF1 when compared to their unaffected siblings. The high prevalence indicates that gastrointestinal dysfunction in NF1 is not functional but may be part of the underlying NF1 disorder.

AB - OBJECTIVES: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a complex genetic disorder characterized by symptoms of the skin and nervous system. A previous study indicated that constipation is common in children with NF1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the phenotype and prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in a population of 4-17-year-olds with NF1 compared to their unaffected siblings.METHODS: Gastrointestinal symptoms were assessed with a web-based, parent or self-administered, validated, Rome® III diagnostic questionnaire. Participants were recruited from one of two Danish National Centers of Expertise for NF1. Logistic regression was used to estimate the prevalence of functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome and constipation in each group and the groups were compared using odds ratio.RESULTS: We compared 102 NF1 patients (median age 10.3 years) and 46 of their unaffected siblings (median age 10 years). The overall likelihood of having gastrointestinal symptoms usually attributed to either functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome or constipation was 30.4% in patients vs. 10.9% in siblings, odds ratio 3.58 (95% CI: 1.30-9.79). The prevalence of constipation was 22.5% in patients and 4.3% in siblings, odds ratio 6.41 (95% CI: 1.45-28.24). The use of laxatives was 16% (n = 16) in patients and 2% (n = 1) in siblings.CONCLUSIONS: Overall, gastrointestinal symptoms attributed to functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome or constipation are more common in 4-17-year-olds with NF1 when compared to their unaffected siblings. The high prevalence indicates that gastrointestinal dysfunction in NF1 is not functional but may be part of the underlying NF1 disorder.

KW - Rome criteria

KW - constipation

KW - functional dyspepsia

KW - irritable bowel syndrome

U2 - 10.1097/MPG.0000000000001860

DO - 10.1097/MPG.0000000000001860

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 29240009

VL - 66

SP - 872

EP - 875

JO - Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

JF - Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

SN - 0277-2116

IS - 6

ER -