Do Gastrointestinal Symptoms Fluctuate in the Short-Term Perspective? The Kalixanda Study

• Published in: Digestive Diseases
• Main Authors: Bolling-Sternevald, E., Aro, P., Ronkainen, J., Storskrubb, T., Talley, N.J., Junghard, O., Agréus, L.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: S. Karger AG 2008
• Subjects: Northern Sweden
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000121356; https://www.karger.com/Article/Pdf/121356

Background/Aim: Short-term fluctuation of gastrointestinal symptoms in the general population is largely unknown. We aimed to determine gastrointestinal symptom fluctuation in an random adult population using a validated questionnaire assessing gastrointestinal symptoms. Methods: A representative sample (n = 2,860) of the population (n = 21,610, 20–81 years of age; mean age 50.4 years) in Northern Sweden was studied. The subjects were asked to complete the questionnaire on two occasions [mean 2.5 months (range 1–6)], firstly via mail and secondly at a visit to the clinic. An upper endoscopy was performed after the last assessment of symptoms. Results: 2,122 individuals (74.2%) completed the initial questionnaire; 1,001 of these (mean age 54.1 years, 48.8 males) completed the second questionnaire. On the first occasion, 40% of the subjects were symptom-free (20.2%) or could not be classified according to their symptom pattern, of those with symptoms 39% reported troublesome reflux symptoms, 40% dyspeptic symptoms and 30% irritable bowel symptoms. Symptom overlap occurred in more than two thirds of the subjects. At the second visit 75% of the subjects who had reported dyspeptic complaints still reported such complaints. Conclusions: In this population-based study, gastrointestinal symptoms were common. Some symptom fluctuation occurred in the shorter term, but troublesome gastrointestinal complaints remained in approximately 90% of subjects over a 1–6-month period.