A M Adelman1, D A Revicki, J Magaziner, R Hebel. 1. Department of Family and Community Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Milton Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous surveys have found that 14%-25% of the population report abdominal pain. Only one study examined the age-gender specific prevalence of abdominal pain in the population, and no study has examined the self-reported causes of abdominal pain. METHODS: To describe the epidemiology of abdominal pain in a large health maintenance organization population, 6,199 randomly selected members were contacted and interviewed by telephone about the occurrence of abdominal pain and related health care in the past year. RESULTS: Of those interviewed, 27% reported abdominal pain in the past year, while 38% of those individuals saw a physician for their pain. Women were more likely than men to have had pain and to have seen a physician for their pain. Fewer older individuals reported abdominal pain, but when pain occurred, they sought medical care more often than younger individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Women and younger individuals report abdominal pain more frequently. Women and older individuals are more likely to seek care for their pain.
BACKGROUND: Previous surveys have found that 14%-25% of the population report abdominal pain. Only one study examined the age-gender specific prevalence of abdominal pain in the population, and no study has examined the self-reported causes of abdominal pain. METHODS: To describe the epidemiology of abdominal pain in a large health maintenance organization population, 6,199 randomly selected members were contacted and interviewed by telephone about the occurrence of abdominal pain and related health care in the past year. RESULTS: Of those interviewed, 27% reported abdominal pain in the past year, while 38% of those individuals saw a physician for their pain. Women were more likely than men to have had pain and to have seen a physician for their pain. Fewer older individuals reported abdominal pain, but when pain occurred, they sought medical care more often than younger individuals. CONCLUSIONS:Women and younger individuals report abdominal pain more frequently. Women and older individuals are more likely to seek care for their pain.
Authors: Anouk M Speets; Sandra Kalmijn; Arno W Hoes; Yolanda van der Graaf; Yolanda der Graaf; Hugo M Smeets; Willem P Th M Mali Journal: Eur J Epidemiol Date: 2005 Impact factor: 8.082
Authors: Lynn S Walker; Sara E Williams; Craig A Smith; Judy Garber; Deborah A Van Slyke; Tricia A Lipani Journal: Pain Date: 2006-02-21 Impact factor: 6.961