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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Richard Curless, Emeritus Professor Richard Thomson, Professor Roger Barton
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Background The incidence of organic lower gastrointestinal disease increases with age. However, the prevalence of lower gastrointestinal symptoms in a British elderly population is unclear, with previous epidemiological studies focusing on younger populations Furthermore, there is little information about consultation behaviour associated with lower gastrointestinal symptoms. Alin. To determine the prevalence of lower gastrointestinal symptoms reported by randomly selected, elderly community subjects. Methods. An age- and sex-stratified random sample of patients aged 65 years and over was drawn from a general practice register (n = 842). Those who had not refused to participate in an initial postal survey were invited to participate in a semi-structured physician interview at their own home to assess lower gastrointestinal symptomatology (n = 745). Non-participation bias and service use of all subjects were assessed from practice records. Results. Five hundred and ninety-six (71%) patients were interviewed, Fifty-seven per cent of all participants had at least one lower gastrointestinal symptom. Individual symptoms and symptom complexes were common, affecting up to 32% of subjects. Only 24% of subjects with lower gastrointestinal symptoms consulted their general practitioner (GP) with such symptoms in the previous year. As few as 31% of subjects with new onset of the significant symptoms of rectal bleeding abdominal pain, and a change in bowel habit consulted their GP. Conclusion, Lower gastrointestinal symptoms are common in a British elderly population and an important reason for GP consultation.
Author(s): Chaplin A, Curless R, Thomson R, Barton R
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: British Journal of General Practice
Year: 2000
Volume: 50
Issue: 459
Pages: 798-802
ISSN (print): 0960-1643
ISSN (electronic): 1478-5242
Publisher: Royal College of General Practitioners
URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1313820/
PubMed id: 1313820
