title: Uninvestigated dyspepsia in Latin America: a population-based study.
abstract: We sought to assess the prevalence, severity of symptoms, and risk factors of uninvestigated dyspepsia in a population-based study in Argentina. Eight hundred thirty-nine valid questionnaires were evaluated. Dyspepsia was present in 367 subjects (43.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 39.8-46.6); 110 (13.6%) had overlap with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The group with dyspepsia without GERD consisted of 257 subjects (29.6%; 95% CI, 26.5-32.7), 183 (71.1%) had ulcer-like dyspepsia, and 74 (28.9%) had dysmotility-like dyspepsia. Symptoms were considered very severe in 1.9%, severe in 14.0%, moderate in 59.5%, and mild in 24.5% of the subjects. Dyspepsia was associated with a score >14 on the psychosomatic symptom scale (PSC) (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.75-3.61), a family history of diseases of the esophagus or stomach (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.19-2.52) and an educational level >12 years (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.05-2.29). Dyspepsia is especially prevalent in Argentina. In a significant proportion of dyspeptic subjects, the severity of symptoms interferes with daily activities. A higher PSC, positive family history, and a higher educational level are risk factors for dyspepsia.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Arenales 3569 3rd floor, dpt B., 1425 Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. jorge.olmos@gmail.com
authors.forename: Jorge A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Olmos
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pogorelsky
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tobal
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marcolongo
authors.forename: Graciela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Salis
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Higa
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Chiocca
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires