title: Dyspepsia in general practice: incidence, risk factors, comorbidity and mortality.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many individuals consulting their GP with upper abdominal symptoms are initially classified as having dyspepsia. Few studies have described the incidence of dyspepsia or the comorbidities, risk factors or prognosis associated with this diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the UK General Practice Research Database to find patients with a new diagnosis of dyspepsia in 1996 (n = 6,913) and a control cohort (n = 11,036). We determined the incidence of dyspepsia, potential risk factors and comorbidity, and the risk of new onset morbidity in the year following the index date.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of dyspepsia was 15.3 per 1,000 person-years. An increased probability of a dyspepsia diagnosis was associated with chest pain [odds ratio (OR): 2.4], general pain (OR: 1.8), sleep disorders (OR: 1.5), angina (OR: 1.5), osteoarthritis/rheumatoid arthritis (OR: 1.4) and smoking (OR: 1.2). There was only a borderline association with obesity (OR: 1.1). Patients with dyspepsia had an increased likelihood of a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (OR: 264), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (OR: 62.8) or peptic ulcer disease (PUD) (OR: 27.2) during the following year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The commonest diagnosis to emerge after an initial consultation for dyspepsia was IBS, followed by GERD and PUD.
authors.affiliation: AstraZeneca R&D Mölndal, Mölndal, Sweden.
authors.forename: Mari-Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Wallander
authors.forename: Saga
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ruigómez
authors.forename: Luis Alberto
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: García Rodríguez
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal