BACKGROUND: To determine the frequency of symptoms sugestive of functional gastrointestinal disorders and their relation to parasite infections in a developing nation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 174 consecutive patients was seen in a gastroenterology clinic in Solola (Guatemala). RESULTS: Symptoms suggestive of irritable bowel syndrome was diagnosed in 37 patients (21%), irritable bowel syndrome with dyspeptic syndrome in 26 (15%) and dyspeptic syndrome in 24 (14%). Forty-two patients (24%) had been diagnosed of parasitation in the past. Such patients had a higher risk of suffering symptoms suggestives with functional gastrointestinal disorder (OR 6,335 CI 95% 2.72-14-75). Fifty-nine patients (34%) were subjected to parasite examination in stools; of these, 13 proved positive. In this same group of patients the risk of functional gastrointestinal problems was likewise higher among the subjects with parasite infection (p < 0.05). In turn, 41 patients (49%) with symptoms suggestives of gastrointestinal functional disorders were or had previously been diagnosed of parasite infection. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms suggestives of functional gastrointestinal disorders are frequent in developing regions and its was in relation to intestinal parasites.
BACKGROUND: To determine the frequency of symptoms sugestive of functional gastrointestinal disorders and their relation to parasite infections in a developing nation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 174 consecutive patients was seen in a gastroenterology clinic in Solola (Guatemala). RESULTS: Symptoms suggestive of irritable bowel syndrome was diagnosed in 37 patients (21%), irritable bowel syndrome with dyspeptic syndrome in 26 (15%) and dyspeptic syndrome in 24 (14%). Forty-two patients (24%) had been diagnosed of parasitation in the past. Such patients had a higher risk of suffering symptoms suggestives with functional gastrointestinal disorder (OR 6,335 CI 95% 2.72-14-75). Fifty-nine patients (34%) were subjected to parasite examination in stools; of these, 13 proved positive. In this same group of patients the risk of functional gastrointestinal problems was likewise higher among the subjects with parasite infection (p < 0.05). In turn, 41 patients (49%) with symptoms suggestives of gastrointestinal functional disorders were or had previously been diagnosed of parasite infection. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms suggestives of functional gastrointestinal disorders are frequent in developing regions and its was in relation to intestinal parasites.
Authors: Douglas R Morgan; Matthew Benshoff; Mercedes Cáceres; Sylvia Becker-Dreps; Loreto Cortes; Christopher F Martin; Max Schmulson; Rodolfo Peña Journal: Gastroenterol Res Pract Date: 2012-02-19 Impact factor: 2.260