Epidemiology of abdominal symptoms in a random population: Prevalence, incidence, and natural history

Abstract

The study presents results from a five-year follow-up on abdominal symptoms in an age and sex stratified random sample of 4,581 Danes. Abdominal pain occurred significantly more often among women (prevalence: 49%, incidence: 21%) compared to mean (prevalence: 38%, incidence: 15%). Five years later the pain had disappeared in 43% of the men and 31% of the women (p = 0.003). Distension, borborygmi, and altering consistency of stools occurred with a prevalence of approximately 50% and an incidence of approximately 30%, significantly more often among women compared to men. Five years later these symptoms had disappeared in about 20%. Prevalence of both heartburn and acid regurgitation were significantly higher among men (38%) than women (30%), whereas no sex difference was observed regarding incidence of these symptoms (16%). Approximately 30% of subjects who had experienced heartburn or acid regurgitation did not do so five years later. In conclusion, abdominal symptoms occur frequently and recurrently in the general population. This information is of importance to doctors when they evaluate patients with abdominal complaints, but no obvious organic etiology.

A 13-nation population survey of upper gastrointestinal symptoms: prevalence of symptoms and socioeconomic factors

“…However, despite these limitations, our findings are in accordance with population-based studies from various Western nations. 3,7,18,24,[34][35][36] In summary, there are marked differences in the country specific prevalence of UGI complaints. These differences are associated with socioeconomic indicators such as the GDP per capita.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Studies from specific countries and post hoc analyses reported that the prevalence of dyspepsia (upper) abdominal pain and the severity of reflux symptoms decreases with advancing age. [6][7][8][9] However, despite their decreasing overall prevalence, more serious GERD-complications like complicated ulcers (i.e. life-threatening bleeding) and adenocarcinoma 10 appear to occur predominantly in elderly patients.…”

Prevalência e fatores associados à doença do refluxo gastroesofágico

“…Alguns estudos encontraram maior risco para homens (1,5) , outros para mulheres (7) . Em todos os estudos revisados, os riscos relativos tanto para homens, quanto para mulheres são pequenos, nunca superiores a 1,5, o que pode sugerir que o sexo é pouco importante na determinação da ocorrência de sintomas de DRGE.…”

“…A ausência de associação entre DRGE e indivíduos não-brancos é consistente com o achado de outros autores, uma vez que estudos em diferentes partes do mundo não têm encontrado relação com raça ou cor da pele (1,5,10) . O aumento do risco para desenvolvimento de sintomas de DRGE conforme diminui a faixa etária, encontrado neste estudo, é coerente com oa achados na Austrália (5) .…”

“…Em estudo realizado na Austrália em 1996, 56% dos indivíduos relataram ter tido sintomas de DRGE pelo menos alguma vez em suas vidas, sendo que 37% os têm pelo menos uma vez a cada 4 meses (1) . Na Dinamarca, em 1994, a prevalência foi de 38% entre os homens e 30% entre as mulheres (5) . No Brasil, em 2001 foi de 48,2% (10) .…”