Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Comparison of comorbidity and healthcare consumption in primary healthcare subjects with persistent functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) and a strictly gastrointestinal (GI) symptom-free group (SSF). METHODS: A stratified sample (n=1428, 21-86 years) of subjects living in the Osthammar community, Sweden, was limited to half of the community and classified through the Abdominal Symptom Questionnaire (ASQ) into two study groups, one with persistent FGID (n=71), another SSF (n=48). Symptoms were re-evaluated by means of the ASQ at a surgery visit, as was healthcare consumption during 2 years, and the levels of anxiety and depression, as measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Diagnoses were set according to The International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 and the 14 diagnostic groups. RESULTS: Of the FGID patients, 97% had a non-GI diagnosis, compared with 100% of SSF (ns). The mean number of doctors' consultations (OR=3.5), phone calls to doctors (OR=3.4), number of prescriptions (OR=2.4) and number of set diagnoses (OR=3.9), anxiety level (OR=11.5) and depression (OR=5.2) were all statistically significantly higher (p<0.05) for FGID than for SSF, while the number of referrals and sick leave were not. Besides a GI diagnosis, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the spectrum of morbidity in terms of ICD-9 subgroup classification, except an increased proportion of older SSF subjects with circulatory disorders and hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Functional gastrointestinal disorders are related to an increased demand on primary healthcare because of an increased overall comorbidity, which signifies a need for a holistic healthcare approach.
Abstract: We aimed to investigate the history of abuse in childhood and adulthood and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in women and men with FGID in the general adult population. A cross-sectional study in a random population sample (n = 1,537, 20-87 years) living in Osthammar municipality, Sweden, in 1995 was performed. Persons with FGID (n = 141) and a group of abdominal symptom-free controls (SSF, n = 97) were selected by means of a validated questionnaire assessing gastrointestinal symptoms (the ASQ). Abuse, anxiety and depression (the HADS) and HRQL (the PGWB) were measured. Women with FGID had a higher risk of having a history of some kind of abuse, as compared with the SSF controls (45% vs.16%, OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.01-3.9; SSF = 1), in contrast to men (29% vs. 24% n.s.). Women with a history of abuse and FGID had reduced HRQL 91 (95% CI 85-97) as compared with women without abuse history 100 (95% CI 96-104, P = 0.01, "healthy" = 102-105 on PGWB). Childhood emotional abuse was a predictor for consulting with OR = 4.20 (95% CI: 1.12-15.7.7). Thus, previous abuse is common in women with FGID and must be considered by the physician for diagnosis and treatment of the disorder.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Some individuals with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) suffer long-lasting symptoms without ever consulting their doctors. Our aim was to study co-morbidity and lifestyle differences among consulters and non-consulters with persistent FGID and controls in a defined adult population. METHODS: A random sample of the general adult Swedish population was obtained by a postal questionnaire. The Abdominal Symptom Questionnaire (ASQ) was used to measure GI symptomatology and grade of GI symptom severity and the Complaint Score Questionnaire (CSQ) was used to measure general symptoms. Subjects were then grouped for study by their symptomatic profiles. Subjects with long-standing FGID (n = 141) and subjects strictly free from gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (n = 97) were invited to attend their local health centers for further assessment. RESULTS: Subjects with FGID have a higher risk of psychological illness [OR 8.4, CI95(4.0-17.5)] than somatic illness [OR 2.8, CI95(1.3-5.7)] or ache and fatigue symptoms [OR 4.3, CI95(2.1-8.7)]. Subjects with psychological illness have a higher risk of severe GI symptoms than controls; moreover they have a greater chance of being consulters. Patients with FGID have more severe GI symptoms than non-patients. CONCLUSION: There is a strong relation between extra-intestinal, mental and somatic complaints and FGID in both patients and non-patients. Psychological illness increases the chance of concomitantly having more severe GI symptoms, which also enhance consultation behaviour.
Abstract: 1. The effects of sulpiride and metoclopramide on pre- and postsynaptic dopamine receptors were investigated in the rat brain as antagonism of the apomorphine-induced inhibition of the dopamine synthesis in the absence of nerve impulses and as blockade of the apomorphine-induced rotation following unilateral inactivation of the corpus striatum, respectively. Sulpiride was more potent in blocking post- than presynaptic dopamine receptors whereas the reverse was found for metoclopramide. 2. The synthesis and the utilization of dopamine was stimulated by sulpiride and metoclopramide and was inhibited by atropine, prazosin and aminooxyacetic acid. The inhibitory effects of the latter three drugs were counteracted by metoclopramide, but not by sulpiride. This difference can be explained by the preferential action of metoclopramide on presynaptic dopamine receptors. 3. Following unilateral inactivation of the corpus striatum, metoclopramide at a low dose, but not sulpiride turned the rats ipsilaterally, indicating that the release of dopamine was facilitated and that the presynaptic dopamine receptors are of physiological significance.
