Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

PAIN FREE (Pediatric Alliance for International Neurogastrointestinal Functional Research) Registry

Principal Investigator: Samuel Nurko, MD, MPH

Department: Gastroenterology

Protocol Status: Open for Recruitment

Trial Description: About 10% of all children in the USA and in most of the world have chronic or intermittent abdominal pain and most of them are diagnosed with functional abdominal pain (FAP) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).  These are conditions which, much like headaches, cause real pain but do not have a recognizable disease that can be found with routine testing.  It is not well known what differentiates children with FAP and IBS from those are diagnosed with different diseases. In addition, there are many different treatments for FAP and IBS including medicines, psychological and complementary therapies. The objective of this study is to document the clinical course, tests results, and response to commonly used therapies in children with chronic or intermittent abdominal pain.

Recruitment Info: Children between the ages of 4 and 16 years old who present with a chief complaint of continuous or intermittent abdominal pain (of any severity) that has lasted at least 2 months may be eligible for this study. Participants will complete one questionnaire (15 minutes to complete) about the type of symptoms experienced. The research team will be available to answer any questions participants may have when completing the questionnaire, and will go over the questionnaire with the participant after it has been completed. The research staff will contact participants diagnosed with functional abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome every three months, either by phone or at regularly scheduled clinic visit. No additional visits will be required for participation in the registry.

Recruitment Contact Name: Nicole Heinz

Recruitment Contact Phone: 857-218-5452

Recruitment Contact Email: Nicole.Heinz@childrens.harvard.edu