The Effect of Using Rome IV Criteria on the Prevalence of Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders and Functional Constipation among Children of the Western Region of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are characterized by absence of anatomical and biochemical alterations, and are diagnosed and classified based on symptomatology. We aim to explore the prevalence of functional abdominal pain disorders and Functional constipation using Rome IV criteria. An online questionnaire was distributed randomly via social media targeting the general population of the western region of Saudi Arabia. Parents who have at least 1 child in the age group 3 to 18 years were included. Children with mental disabilities, or any organic gastrointestinal disorder were excluded. Five hundred thirty-two responded and 215 were excluded. The overall prevalence of functional abdominal pain disorders was 3.1%. The prevalence of functional constipation was 4.7%. Conclusions: Rome IV criteria seems to give a lower functional abdominal pain prevalence than Rome III, online learning did not seem to affect the prevalence of both disorders, but a family stressor seems to increase functional constipation prevalence.

A Narrative Review on the Update in the Prevalence of Infantile Colic, Regurgitation, and Constipation in Young Children: Implications of the ROME IV Criteria

“…The prevalence of constipation among children aged 3–18 years in this review (13%) was higher than that reported in a recent publication from the western province of Saudi Arabia using the ROME IV criteria (4.7%) ( 34 ). In general, the prevalence of constipation increases with age regardless of the diagnostic criteria used.…”

Prevalence of functional abdominal pain disorders and functional constipation in adolescents

“…Further studies are required to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the RIV‐QPGS and Rome IV criteria for FAPDs. It is noted that the prevalence of overall FAPDs in our study was lower than the other studies using either Rome III 2–4,18 or Rome IV criteria, 10–12 but higher than the study from Saudi Arabia 17 . This could be differences in life‐style, culture, socio‐economic status, diet and gut microbiome across countries as well as the research methodology.…”

“…9 A recent study from Saudi Arabia has shown the prevalence of FAPDs and FC is 3.1% and 4.7%, respectively. 17 We did not identify non-retentive faecal incontinence in this survey. The result is consistent with the previous meta-analysis which showed the low prevalence of functional non-retentive faecal incontinence (0-1.8%), 8 and the recent systematic review which shows the prevalence of 0-2.6% (mean 0.36%).…”

“…Recent meta‐analysis including 10 paediatric studies using Rome IV criteria demonstrated the prevalence of FAPDs ranges from 5.8 to 18% (mean 12.8%) and of each subtype including FD (0–15%, mean 6.6%), IBS (0–6.4%, mean 3.1%), abdominal migraine (0–3.3%, mean 0.65%) and functional abdominal pain not otherwise specified (0–5.1%, mean 2.5%), while the prevalence of FC ranges from 3 to 28.7% (mean 12.1%) 9 . A recent study from Saudi Arabia has shown the prevalence of FAPDs and FC is 3.1% and 4.7%, respectively 17 . We did not identify non‐retentive faecal incontinence in this survey.…”

“…It is noted that the prevalence of overall FAPDs in our study was lower than the other studies using either Rome III [2][3][4]18 or Rome IV criteria, [10][11][12] but higher than the study from Saudi Arabia. 17 This could be differences in life-style, culture, socio-economic status, diet and gut microbiome across countries as well as the research methodology. Phavichitr et al 19 reported a high prevalence (24%) of FD in Thai adolescents.…”