Abdominal Pain and Disturbed Bowel Movements are Frequent among Young People. A Population Based Study in Young Participants of the Woodstock Rock Festival in Poland.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Functional gastrointestinal disorders are prevalent worldwide and alterations of gut-brain axis and intestinal barrier integrity may play a pivotal role in both the pathophysiology and clinical course of these bowel malfunctions. We aimed to assess the prevalence of abdominal pain in a selected adult population of Poland to determine potential environmental factors associated with gastrointestinal complaints.
METHODS: There were 1479 individuals - 657 women (44.42%) and 822 men (55.58%), aged 24.20±6.08 years. The responders fulfilled an authors' questionnaire based on Rome II and III criteria focused on the abdominal pain prevalence and environmental factors involved in its occurrence.
RESULTS: The frequency of abdominal pain was found to be as high as 19.2%. Male gender (n=822) and basic education level (n=151) lowered the risk of abdominal pain occurrence (OR=0.7, p<0.012 and OR=0.5, p<0.021, respectively). Psychological distress, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and antibiotics usage were found as risk factors of abdominal pain (OR=2.503, p<0.01; OR=3.308, p<0.01; OR=3.105, p<0.01, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal pain is prevalent in young adult inhabitants of Poland, especially in women. Intense psychological stress, as well as PPIs and antibiotics usage elevate the risk.