{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,12]],"date-time":"2026-08-12T06:31:43Z","timestamp":1786516303899,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":30,"publisher":"Danish Medical Association","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Dan Med J"],"abstract":"<jats:p>INTRODUCTION. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most frequently reported paediatric functional abdominal pain disorder (FAPD). It impacts quality of life, contributes to school absenteeism and can result in chronic pain. This review investigated the management of children with IBS in general practice regarding diagnostic evaluation, use of the Rome Criteria, diagnostic outcomes, referrals, prescriptions and follow-ups.\n\nMETHODS. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Studies were identified through a structured PubMed search and screened using predefined inclusion criteria. Eligible studies focused on general practitioners\u2019 management of children with episodic abdominal pain, in which IBS could be a subtype. Data were reported narratively due to heterogeneity across studies.\n\nRESULTS. Five observational studies involving over 4,300 children were included. The proportion of children receiving a functional diagnosis ranged from 16% to 84%, and the Rome Criteria were rarely used (7-27% of cases). Blood and urine tests were commonly used. Prescriptions and referrals differed across studies. Follow-up was rare.\n\nCONCLUSIONS. IBS is the most common FAPD in children. Though often managed by general practitioners, it remains unclear how they diagnose and treat these cases. The Rome Criteria appear to be rarely used, and diagnosis frequency varies, suggesting some children may be overlooked or misclassified. Follow-up is infrequent, and it is unclear whether a biopsychosocial approach is used. More research is needed to understand and improve care in this setting.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.61409\/a08250661","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,7]],"date-time":"2026-05-07T05:52:26Z","timestamp":1778133146000},"page":"1-9","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Management of children with irritable bowel syndrome in general practice \u2013 a systematic review"],"prefix":"10.61409","author":[{"given":"Erika Anne","family":"Mengel","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Gritt","family":"Overbeck","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"40208","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,4]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref0","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Korterink JJ, Diederen K, Benninga MA, Tabbers MM. Epidemiology of pediatric functional abdominal pain disorders: a meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2015;10(5):e0126982. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0126982","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0126982"},{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Hogervorst EM, Ganzevoort IN, Berger MY, Holtman GA. Irritable bowel syndrome in children with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms in primary care. Fam Pract. 2024;41(3):292-298. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/fampra\/cmad070","DOI":"10.1093\/fampra\/cmad070"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Hyams JS, Di Lorenzo C, Saps M, et al. Childhood functional gastrointestinal disorders: child\/adolescent. Gastroenterology. 2016;150(6):1456-1468.e2. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1053\/j.gastro.2016.02.015","DOI":"10.1053\/j.gastro.2016.02.015"},{"key":"ref3","unstructured":"Andersen J. I. L\u00e6geh\u00e5ndbogen. Mavesmerter hos b\u00f8rn, recidiv. www.sundhed.dk\/sundhedsfaglig\/laegehaandbogen\/paediatri\/tilstande-og-sygdomme\/mave-tarm\/recidiv-mavesmerter-hos-boern\/ (Sep 2024)"},{"key":"ref4","unstructured":"Reust CE, Williams A. Recurrent abdominal pain in children. Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(12):785-793"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Rasquin A, Di Lorenzo C, Forbes D, et al. Childhood functional gastrointestinal disorders: child\/adolescent. Gastroenterology. 2006;130(5):1527-1537. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1053\/j.gastro.2005.08.063","DOI":"10.1053\/j.gastro.2005.08.063"},{"key":"ref6","unstructured":"Rome Foundation Pediatric Section. Pediatrics. https:\/\/theromefoundation.org\/rome-pediatrics\/ (Sep 2024)"},{"key":"ref7","unstructured":"Theede K. I. L\u00e6geh\u00e5ndbogen. Colon irritabile. www.sundhed.dk\/sundhedsfaglig\/laegehaandbogen\/mave-tarm\/tilstande-og-sygdomme\/tyktarm\/irritabel-tarmsyndrom\/ (Sep 2024)"},{"key":"ref8","unstructured":"Knudsen MM, Johansen K, Dalby K, et al. Recidiverende mavesmerter hos b\u00f8rn - RAS. Danish Paediatric Society, 2022. https:\/\/paediatri.dk\/images\/dokumenter\/retningslinjer_2022\/Recidiverende_mavesmerter_vers2.pdf (Sep 2024)"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ. 2021;372:n71. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/bmj.n71","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.n71"},{"key":"ref10","unstructured":"Covidence. The world's #1 systematic review tool. www.covidence.org (Sep 2024)"},{"key":"ref11","unstructured":"EQUATOR Network. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies. EQUATOR, 2023. www.equator-network.org\/reporting-guidelines\/strobe\/ (9 Sep 2024)"},{"key":"ref12","unstructured":"Popay J, Roberts H, Sowden A, et al. Guidance on the conduct of narrative synthesis in systematic reviews: a product from the ESRC Methods Programme. Lancaster University, 2006. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.13140\/2.1.1018.4643"},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Gieteling MJ, Lisman-van Leeuwen Y, van der Wouden JC, et al. Childhood nonspecific abdominal pain in family practice: incidence, associated factors, and management. Ann Fam Med. 2011;9(4):337-343. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1370\/afm.1268","DOI":"10.1370\/afm.1268"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Wallis EM, Fiks AG. Nonspecific abdominal pain in pediatric primary care: evaluation and outcomes. Acad Pediatr. 2015;15(3):333-339. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.acap.2014.09.009","DOI":"10.1016\/j.acap.2014.09.009"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Ansems SM, Berger MY, Pieterse E, et al. Management of children with non-acute abdominal pain and diarrhea in Dutch primary care: a retrospective cohort study based on a routine primary care database (AHON). Scand J Prim Health Care. 2023;41(3):267-275. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/02813432.2023.2231054","DOI":"10.1080\/02813432.2023.2231054"},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Spee LAA, Lisman-van Leeuwen Y, Benninga MA, et al. Prevalence, characteristics, and management of childhood functional abdominal pain in general practice. Scand J Prim Health Care. 2013;31(4):197-202. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3109\/02813432.2013.844405","DOI":"10.3109\/02813432.2013.844405"},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Schurman JV, Kessler ED, Friesen CA. Understanding and treatment of chronic abdominal pain in pediatric primary care. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2014;53(11):1032-1040. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0009922814545162","DOI":"10.1177\/0009922814545162"},{"key":"ref18","unstructured":"Healthcare for Internationals. What does a GP do? https:\/\/h4i.nl\/healthcare-providers\/general-practitioner-huisarts\/what-does-a-gp-do\/ (Sep 2024)"},{"key":"ref19","unstructured":"American Academy of Family Physicians. Primary care. www.aafp.org\/about\/policies\/all\/primary-care.html (Sep 2024)"},{"key":"ref20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Hungin AP, Molloy-Bland M, Claes R, et al. Systematic review: the perceptions, diagnosis and management of irritable bowel syndrome in primary care - a Rome Foundation working team report. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2014;40(10):1133-1145. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/apt.12957","DOI":"10.1111\/apt.12957"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Oka P, Parr H, Barberio B, et al. Global prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome according to Rome III or IV criteria: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020;5(10):908-917. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S2468-1253(20)30217-X","DOI":"10.1016\/S2468-1253(20)30217-X"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Faresj\u00f6 A, Grodzinsky E, Foldevi M, et al. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome in primary care appear not to be heavy healthcare utilizers. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2006;23(6):807-814. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1365-2036.2006.02815.x","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2036.2006.02815.x"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Puckett-Perez S, Gresl B. Psychological treatment for pediatric functional abdominal pain disorders. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2022;34(5):516-520. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1097\/MOP.0000000000001161","DOI":"10.1097\/MOP.0000000000001161"},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Memarian S, Pawlowski C, Tumin D, et al. Primary care pediatricians' use of specialty referrals in treating children with chronic abdominal pain. Int J Adolesc Med Health. 2020;34(4):205-209. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1515\/ijamh-2020-0042","DOI":"10.1515\/ijamh-2020-0042"},{"key":"ref25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Pop D, Man SC, Farc\u0103u D. Anxiety and depression in children with irritable bowel syndrome - a narrative review. Diagnostics (Basel). 2025;15(4):433. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/diagnostics15040433","DOI":"10.3390\/diagnostics15040433"},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Brodwall A, Brekke M. General practitioners' experiences with children and adolescents with functional gastro-intestinal disorders: a qualitative study in Norway. Scand J Prim Health Care. 2021;39(4):543-551. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/02813432.2021.2012347","DOI":"10.1080\/02813432.2021.2012347"},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Campo JV, Bridge J, Ehmann M, et al. Recurrent abdominal pain, anxiety, and depression in primary care. Pediatrics. 2004;113(4):817-824. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1542\/peds.113.4.817","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.113.4.817"},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Vernon-Roberts A, Alexander I, Day AS. Systematic review of pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders (Rome IV criteria). J Clin Med. 2021;10(21):5087. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/jcm10215087","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm10215087"},{"key":"ref29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Lisman-van Leeuwen Y, Spee LAA, Benninga MA, et al. Prognosis of abdominal pain in children in primary care: a prospective cohort study. Ann Fam Med. 2013;11(3):238-244. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1370\/afm.1490","DOI":"10.1370\/afm.1490"}],"container-title":["Danish Medical Journal"],"original-title":[],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,12]],"date-time":"2026-08-12T05:59:48Z","timestamp":1786514388000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/ugeskriftet.dk\/dmj\/A08250661"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,4]]},"references-count":30,"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.61409\/a08250661","relation":{},"ISSN":["2245-1919"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2245-1919","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,4]]}}}