title: Abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea in the United States: prevalence and impact.
abstract: The prevalence and impact of abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea in the adult US population are largely unknown. We conducted a national, cross-sectional, telephone survey of US households to provide estimates of the frequency, duration, severity, and impact of specific digestive symptoms during the previous month. A total of 2510 subjects completed interviews (70.7% response rate). Among the respondents, 1017 (40.5%) reported one or more digestive symptoms within the month before the interview, including abdominal pain or discomfort 21.8%, bloating or distension 15.9%, and diarrhea or loose stools 26.9%. Women were more likely than men to report abdominal pain or discomfort (24.4% vs 17.5%) and bloating or distension (19.2% vs 10.5%), but not diarrhea or loose stools (27.1% vs 26.7%). Symptoms were less common among those > or =60 years of age. More than 65% of respondents rated symptoms as moderate or severe in intensity, and the majority reported limitations in daily activities. We conclude that digestive symptoms are more common than previously recognized and have a significant impact.
authors.affiliation: Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition and the Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 27599-7080, USA.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Sandler
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Liberman
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Zorich
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D014481:United States