Abdominal complaints in general practice: diagnoses and characteristics of patients.

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Title:	Abdominal complaints in general practice: diagnoses and characteristics of patients.
Authors:	Vandvik PO (AUTHOR), Kristensen P (AUTHOR), Aabakken L (AUTHOR), Farup PG (AUTHOR)
Source:	Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. Sep2004, Vol. 22 Issue 3, p157-162. 6p.
Abstract:	OBJECTIVE: The study evaluates the prevalence and diagnoses of abdominal complaints in general practice, and compares characteristics and symptoms of patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and organic diseases. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Nine centres with 26 participating general practitioners (GPs) in Norway. SUBJECTS: 3097 out of 3369 consecutive adult patients answered a questionnaire regarding abdominal complaints IN the last 3 months. Those who consulted for the complaints were eligible for this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The GPs' diagnoses and patients' characteristics were reported in questionnaires. RESULTS: 460 out of 1499 patients with abdominal complaints consulted for these complaints; 392 were included in this study. The GPs diagnosed an FGID in 167 (42.6%) patients, organic disease in 145 (37.0%), and made no diagnosis in 80 (20.4%). Stress-related symptoms were a statistically significant predictor of a FGID (OR 1.95) and weight loss predicted in addition organic disease (OR 2.7) in 128 patients with a verified diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Abdominal complaints are a common problem in general practice. The distinction between FGID, which accounted for half of the diagnoses, and organic disease was difficult. The only significant predictor for FGID was stress-related symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
	Copyright of Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	OBJECTIVE: The study evaluates the prevalence and diagnoses of abdominal complaints in general practice, and compares characteristics and symptoms of patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and organic diseases. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Nine centres with 26 participating general practitioners (GPs) in Norway. SUBJECTS: 3097 out of 3369 consecutive adult patients answered a questionnaire regarding abdominal complaints IN the last 3 months. Those who consulted for the complaints were eligible for this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The GPs' diagnoses and patients' characteristics were reported in questionnaires. RESULTS: 460 out of 1499 patients with abdominal complaints consulted for these complaints; 392 were included in this study. The GPs diagnosed an FGID in 167 (42.6%) patients, organic disease in 145 (37.0%), and made no diagnosis in 80 (20.4%). Stress-related symptoms were a statistically significant predictor of a FGID (OR 1.95) and weight loss predicted in addition organic disease (OR 2.7) in 128 patients with a verified diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Abdominal complaints are a common problem in general practice. The distinction between FGID, which accounted for half of the diagnoses, and organic disease was difficult. The only significant predictor for FGID was stress-related symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	02813432
DOI:	10.1080/02813430410006503