Predictors of conventional and alternative health care seeking for irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia.
BACKGROUND
The drivers of conventional and, especially, alternative health care use for irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia are not clear.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the predictors of conventional and alternative health care use for irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia.


METHODS
Two hundred and seven subjects with irritable bowel syndrome or functional dyspepsia, identified from a previous population survey, were included in the study. Individuals with irritable bowel syndrome/functional dyspepsia were defined as consulters (n = 103) if they had visited their doctor for gastrointestinal symptoms more than once in the past year. Controls (n = 100) did not report having any abdominal pain. Subjects were given structured interviews to assess the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - version IV (DSM-IV) and International Classification of Disorders - version 10 (ICD-10) psychiatric diagnosis for anxiety, depression, somatization or any psychiatric diagnosis, aspects of health care use and symptom factors.


RESULTS
About one-half (n = 103, 49.8%) of community subjects with irritable bowel syndrome/functional dyspepsia had sought conventional care for gastrointestinal symptoms in the past 12 months. Lifetime rates for alternative health care use for gastrointestinal symptoms were 20.8% (n = 43). Independent predictors of conventional health care use were more frequent abdominal pain, greater interference of gastrointestinal symptoms with work and activities and a greater satisfaction with the physician-patient relationship. Being female independently predicted alternative health care use.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychological morbidity did not predict conventional or alternative health care use for gastrointestinal symptoms. Other factors were more important.
Koloski
N A
NA
Department of Medicine, University of Sydney, Nepean Hospital, Penrith, NSW, Australia.
Talley
N J
NJ
Huskic
S S
SS
Boyce
P M
PM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*