Prevalence of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in School Children and Adolescents

• Published in: The Korean journal of gastroenterology Vol. 73; no. 4; pp. 207 - 212
• Main Authors: Juan Javier Peralta-palmezano, Rafael Guerrero-lozano
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 대한소화기학회 30-04-2019
• Subjects: Constipation; Developing countries; Epidemiology; Irritable bowel syndrome; Schools
• ISSN: 1598-9992

Background/Aims: The epidemiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in developed and developing countries involves a high prevalence of constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. This study examined the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in schoolchildren and adolescents in Colombia using the Rome III criteria.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on Colombian children between 8 and 17 years old. The Spanish version of the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms-Rome III Version self-report form was answered by students from two schools. The prevalence of FGID was calculated and correlation tests were conducted among the variables analyzed.
Results: A total of 864 children with a mean age of 12.5±2.5 years were analyzed; 50.7% were female. Two hundred and fifty-nine children (30%) had at least one FGID, and of these, 163 were female (62.9%). Sixty-nine children had two or more FGIDs (8%). Functional constipation was the most prevalent disorder (13.2%), followed in order by abdominal migraine (8.3%), irritable bowel syndrome (6.9%), and aerophagia (3.1%). A significantly higher prevalence of FGID was observed in females (p=0.000). No significant difference was observed between the age groups or type of school they attended.
Conclusions: The overall prevalence of FGID in the sample was 30%, with functional constipation being the most common. These results are similar to those of other prevalence studies reported elsewhere.