Stratification of psychological needs for children with gastrointestinal disorders

Objective(s) To identify psychosocial needs common among paediatric gastrointestinal (GI) patients and stratify by disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) versus organic GI disorders. Second, to propose solutions to close unmet psychosocial needs within the GI clinic while awaiting specialised clinical psychology services. Study design A retrospective review of the 412 clinical psychology referrals at Evelina Children’s Pediatric GI Department from 2020 to 2024 with Fisher exact testing of primary psychosocial needs determined by the psychologist across 5 years and stratified by GI diagnosis using R statistical software. Results Across our entire cohort, the most common primary psychosocial need was difficulty coping with symptoms (p<0.01) followed by anxiety/low mood (p=0.02). Of those with DGBI, difficulty coping with symptoms was the single predominant primary psychosocial need (p<0.01), while those with organic GI disorders had a broad range of common psychosocial needs, also including anxiety/low mood and difficulty adjusting to the diagnosis, among others. Conclusion(s) Stratifying by diagnosis reveals distinct psychosocial needs for paediatric patients with DGBI and organic GI disorders, highlighting the importance of tailoring therapies to diagnosis-related group. Introducing these group-based therapies within the GI clinic may help bridge care gaps while awaiting specialised clinical psychology services.