Abdominal complaints in general practice.
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.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Nine centres with 26 participating general practitioners (GPs) in Norway.


METHODS
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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Vandvik
Per Olav
PO
Department of Medicine, Innlandet Hospital Health Authority, NO-2819 Gjøvik, Norway. per.vandvic@start.no
Kristensen
Pål
P
Aabakken
Lars
L
Farup
Per G
PG
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload