Physical-mental multimorbidity in children and youth: a scoping review. Issue 5 (20th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Romano, Isabella; Buchan, Claire; Baiocco-Romano, Leonardo; Ferro, Mark A
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 11:Issue 5(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05-20
• Subjects: child & adolescent psychiatry -- epilepsy -- asthma -- allergy; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043124
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Efforts to describe the current state of research are needed to advance the field of physical-mental multimorbidity (ie, the co-occurrence of at least one physical illness and at least one mental disorder) among children and youth. Our objective was to systematically explore the breadth of physical-mental multimorbidity research in children and youth and to provide an overview of existing literature topics. Design: Scoping review. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of four key databases: PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Scopus as well as a thorough scan of relevant grey literature. We included studies of any research design, published in English, referring to physical-mental multimorbidity among children and youth aged ≤18 years. Studies were screened for eligibility and data were extracted, charted and summarised narratively by research focus. Critical appraisal was employed using the modified Quality Index (QI). Results: We included 431 studies and 2 sources of grey literature. Existing research emphasises the co-occurrence of anxiety, mood and attention disorders among children with epilepsy, asthma and allergy. Evidence consists of mostly small, observational studies that use cross-sectional data. The average QI score across applicable studies was 9.1 (SD=1.8). Conclusions: There is a pressing need for more robust research within the field of child physical-mental multimorbidity.