Temporal Relationship Between Psychiatric and Gastrointestinal Diagnoses in Pediatric Patients with IBS and IBD

Department

Wake Forest University School of Medicine - 475 Vine St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

4-17-2026

Abstract

Background/Introduction: Children with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) often experience psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression that affect daily functioning. Understanding the timing of psychiatric and gastrointestinal (GI) diagnoses may help clinicians interpret symptoms and tailor care. This study examines the diagnostic timeline of pediatric patients with comorbid psychiatric and GI conditions, focusing on whether psychiatric diagnoses precede GI diagnoses in children with IBS or IBD. Design/Methods: Sociodemographic characteristics and diagnoses of anxiety and depression were abstracted for pediatric patients aged 5–18 who underwent colonoscopy and received a new diagnosis of IBS or IBD using electronic health record data from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2025, within a large southeastern U.S. health system. GI diagnosis served as the index date, and psychiatric diagnoses within 12 months before or after were identified. Logistic regression estimated odds by GI condition and timing. Results: A total of 2,289 pediatric patients with IBS or IBD were identified, of whom 100 (4.4%) were excluded due to missing data. Compared to children with IBS, those with IBD had lower odds of anxiety and depression. Hispanic ethnicity was associated with higher odds of depression among children with IBS. Children with IBD had higher odds of depression diagnosis before GI diagnosis. Conclusions: IBD was associated with lower odds of anxiety and depression diagnoses compared to IBS. Sociodemographic factors may contribute to differences in psychiatric burden and timing of diagnoses in pediatric patients across clinical settings.

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