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BMC Gastroenterology

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Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

Distress criterion influences prevalence rates of functional gastrointestinal disorders

Authors: Charlotte Markert, Kerstin Suarez-Hitz, Ulrike Ehlert, Urs M Nater

Published in: BMC Gastroenterology | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Background

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) are defined by a combination of chronic or recurrent gastrointestinal symptoms. Prevalence rates of FGID are high. Symptoms are associated with distress, and sufferers show high stress levels. However, the current diagnostic criteria do not consider subjective distress elicited by the symptoms, thus potentially leading to overestimated prevalence rates. The aim of this study was to explore the reduction in prevalence rates when distress is considered in the diagnostic criteria.

Methods

In this web-based study, FGID were diagnosed using the Rome II criteria. Prevalence rates with and without subjective distress elicited by the symptoms were computed. Additionally, stress levels and stress reactivity were assessed.

Results

Prevalence rates of FGID in our sample were similar to those in other studies. However, when considering the distress criterion, on average, a decrease of 38.51% was found in the prevalence rates of FGID. Sufferers who were subjectively distressed by their symptoms reported significantly higher stress levels than non-distressed subjects (all p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The consideration of a criterion of subjective distress in the diagnosis of FGID has consequences for actual prevalence rates of FGID. Distressed subjects differ markedly from non-distressed subjects in terms of their stress levels. The inclusion of a distress criterion in the ongoing development of diagnostic criteria for FGID is therefore warranted.

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Title: Distress criterion influences prevalence rates of functional gastrointestinal disorders
Authors: Charlotte Markert
Kerstin Suarez-Hitz
Ulrike Ehlert
Urs M Nater
Publication date: 01-12-2014
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Gastroenterology / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-230X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-014-0215-9

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Distress criterion influences prevalence rates of functional gastrointestinal disorders

Abstract

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Methods

Results

Conclusions

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