Recurrent abdominal pain in children and adolescents – a survey among paediatricians

OBJECTIVE Little is known about prevalence and usual treatment of childhood and adolescent recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) in outpatient paediatricians' practice. This study's primary objective was to acquire insights into the usual paediatricians' treatment and their estimation of prevalence, age and gender of RAP patients. Further objectives were to assess to which extent family members of patients report similar symptoms, how paediatricians rate the strain of parents of affected children and adolescents and how paediatricians estimate the demand for psychological support. METHODS Provided by a medical register, 437 outpatient paediatricians received a questionnaire to assess their perception of several psychosomatic problems and disorders including recurrent abdominal pain. RESULTS According to paediatricians' estimation, 15% of all visits are caused by patients with RAP. In 22% of these cases of RAP, at least one family member has similar problems. In about 15% of all RAP cases, parents ask for professional psychological support concerning their children's issues, whereas 40% of paediatricians wish for psychological support considering this group of patients. CONCLUSIONS Estimated frequencies and paediatricians' demands show the need for evidence-based psychological interventions in RAP to support usual medical treatment.