Abdominal complaints in general practice
Diagnoses and characteristics of patients

Abstract

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.

Design – A cross-sectional study.

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

Subjects – 3097 out of 3369 consecutive adult patients answered a questionnaire regarding abdominal complaints within the last 3 months. Those who consulted for the complaints were eligible for this study.

Main outcome measures – 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 a 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.

Conclusion – 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.

• diagnoses
• functional gastrointestinal disorders
• gastrointestinal diseases
• general practice

Scand J Prim Health Care 2004;22:157–162. ISSN 0281-3432

Scand J Prim Health Care 2004;22:157–162. ISSN 0281-3432