Abdominal pain in general practice.

Five hundred and seventy-eight consecutive cases of non-acute abdominal pain presenting to 11 general practices were included in a descriptive study and were followed during 15 months. Females predominated in the younger age groups. Eighty per cent of these patients visited their GP not more than three times for abdominal complaints during the follow-up period. Eighty-three per cent were managed entirely in the practice and 64% received a prescription. Only 20% of patients were additionally investigated in any way by the GP. There were hardly any differences in final diagnoses between patients who had complaints less than 1 week or more than 1 week before presenting to the GP. Non-acute abdominal pain is a condition that is seen and managed mainly in general practice.