Life Interests and Activity Index (Liai) of Children and Adolescents With Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ibd): 163

Introduction:

We have previously described that children attending the Pediatric IBD clinic to be relatively happy, well adjusted individuals with high self esteem (when healthy) compared to community controls. This study focussed on achievement levels of patients attending our clinic compared to sibling controls.

Methods:

A comparative survey was mailed to 200 patients and families concerning the activities their children with IBD and healthy sibling controls were involved in. Families were asked to rate those activities for level of achievement.

Results:

102 out of 200 surveys (51%) were returned representing 194 children (M:F -91:103, Mean Age 14 years). 102 of 194 (53%) (51 males, 51 females) children had IBD and 92 (47%) were healthy siblings (40 males, 52 females). The average age was 14 years. Activities were assigned one point per activity weighted on a four point scale representing level of achievement (1 = Recreational, 2 = House/School Leagues, 3 = City Representative, 4 = Regional). Scores ranged from 0-23. The overall average activity index rating was 6.55. The average activity index rating was 7.24 for children with IBD [min, max = 0, 23] and 5.78 [0, 21] for siblings. The average activity index rating for males and females was similar (Males = 6.85 [0, 23], Females = 6.28 [0, 21]).

Discussion:

The LIAI of Pediatric IBD patients was found to be higher than that of their healthy siblings (7.24 vs. 5.78) though not statistically significant because of the diverse range of interests and activities. Many children are involved in sports and music. Many volunteer or are involved within their religious communities as well. They are more involved with sports and volunteering, and equally involved with non-sports activities compared with their siblings.

Conclusions:

We have shown that, when healthy, children with IBD are actively involved in diverse activities; in some cases more so than their healthy siblings. This perspective is valuable when counselling parents of newly diagnosed patients.