http://goo.gl/JXO0nk
Compared with the general population, chronic narcotic use was significantly higher for pediatric IBD patients with psychological impairment than those without. Older age, increased health-care utilization, fracture and psychological impairment were also strongly associated with chronic use of narcotics among children with IBD. Increased use of narcotics with greater health-care utilization indicates that narcotic use may be a marker for severe disease.
Narcotics may be prescribed to patients with IBD, which encompasses Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, for temporary pain relief, such as to treat an acute flare or alleviate pain after surgery. Long-term narcotic use among children with IBD is not recommended because of GI side effects, disease complications and potential for dependency.