Korean J Neurogastroenterol Motil.  2004 Dec;10(2):111-117.

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Patients Referred to Specialist Gastroenterologists in a Tertiary Hospital

• Kim JS
• Lee KJ
• Kim JH
• Hahm KB
• Cho SW

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) comprise a large proportion of primary care and gastroenterology practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and the relative prevalence of FGIDs classified by Rome II criteria in patients referred to gastroenterologists of a tertiary hospital.
METHODS
476 consecutive patients newly visiting Ajou University Hospital for GI symptoms were prospectively recruited. Those who had disorders caused by the hepatobiliary-pancreatic system were excluded. Examinations were performed in order to find organic causes. A systematic questionnaire based on Rome II criteria was used for the diagnosis of FGIDs.
RESULTS
Among the 476 patients, 90 patients (19%) had organic diseases and 332 patients (70%) were diagnosed as having FGIDs. Fifty-four of the 476 patients (11%) without organic diseases did not meet the symptom criteria defined by Rome II criteria. Functional dyspepsia (FD) was the most prevalent disorder noted followed by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Diverse FGIDs were diagnosed, and overlap of some FGIDs was observed.
CONCLUSIONS
FGIDs are the main causes of referring patients to gastro-enterologists of a tertiary hospital. Although FD and IBS are the most common among them, diverse FGIDs may be referred, which need valid classification.

Keyword

Functional gastrointestinal disorder; Diagnostic criteria; Functional dyspepsia; Prevalence

MeSH Terms

Classification
Diagnosis
Dyspepsia
Gastroenterology
Gastrointestinal Diseases*
Humans
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Prevalence
Primary Health Care
Prospective Studies
Specialization*
Tertiary Care Centers*
Surveys and Questionnaires