Epidemiology of Functional Abdominal Bloating and Its Impact on Health Related Quality of Life: Male-Female Stratified Propensity Score Analysis in a Population Based Survey in Mainland China

Abstract

BackgroundThe epidemiology of Functional abdominal bloating (FAB) and its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Chinese people remains unclear.MethodsRandomised, stratified, multi-stage sampling methodology was used to select a representative sample of the general population from five cities in China (n = 16,078). All respondents completed the modified Rome II questionnaire; 20% were asked to complete the 36-item Short Form (SF-36). The associated factors of FAB were analyzed. The effects of FAB on HRQoL were estimated with gender stratification using propensity score techniques in 20% subsample.ResultsOverall, 643 individuals (4.00%) had FAB and it was more prevalent in males than in females (4.87% vs. 3.04%, P<0.001). For males, self-reported history of dyspepsia was most strongly associated with FAB (OR = 2.78; 95% CI: 1.59, 4.72). However, the most strongly associated factor was self-reported health status for females (moderate health vs. good health: OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.07, 3.96. P = 0.030; poor health vs. good health: OR = 5.71, 95% CI: 2.06, 15.09). Concerning HRQoL, FAB was found to be related to two domains: role limitation due to physical problems (P = 0.030) and bodily pain (P<0.001) in females. While, in males, there were significant differences in multiple domains between those with and without FAB.ConclusionThe prevalence of FAB in China was lower than previous reports. Males who had ever been diagnosed with dyspepsia and females who were in a poor self-reported health status were correlated with a higher prevalence of FAB. FAB affected only physical health in females, but impaired both physical and mental health in males.

Quality of life in dyspepsia and its subgroups using EQ-5D (EuroQol) questionnaire

“…[121319] The male preponderance in our series could reflect the gender differences in healthcare seeking behavior often seen in hospital-based studies and may not reflect the community prevalence of dyspepsia. Our purpose was to evaluate HRQoL in patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital for evaluation and to compare the same in those with organic and functional dyspepsia.…”

Efficacy of Rifaximin in Patients With Abdominal Bloating or Distension

“…A bdominal bloating is a functional gastrointestinal complaint with high prevalence and a significant impact on quality of life. 1 It may be variably described by patients as a sensation of fullness or gaseous distension of the abdomen and is often associated with other complaints, including dyspepsia, constipation, diarrhea, and cramping abdominal pain. Functional abdominal bloating (FAB)/distension (FAD) is a part of functional GI disorder, and FAB/FAD (or FABD) is defined as recurrent abdominal bloating or distention occurring at least 1 day per week as the predominant symptom; there are insufficient criteria for the diagnosis of other functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), particularly IBS.…”

“…Abdominal bloating is a functional gastrointestinal complaint with high prevalence and a significant impact on quality of life 1 . It may be variably described by patients as a sensation of fullness or gaseous distension of the abdomen and is often associated with other complaints, including dyspepsia, constipation, diarrhea, and cramping abdominal pain.…”