Clinical Research
Copyright ©2007 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 28, 2007; 13(4): 572-578
Published online Jan 28, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i4.572
Gastrointestinal symptoms in a Japanese population: A health diary study
Yasuharu Tokuda, Osamu Takahashi, Sachiko Ohde, Masaaki Shakudo, Haruo Yanai, Takuro Shimbo, Shunichi Fukuhara, Shigeaki Hinohara, Tsuguya Fukui
Yasuharu Tokuda, Osamu Takahashi, Sachiko Ohde, Shigeaki Hinohara, Tsuguya Fukui, Clinical Practice Evaluation and Research Center, St. Luke’s Life Science Institute, St. Luke’s International Hospital, Japan
Masaaki Shakudo, Intermedica, Co, Japan
Haruo Yanai, St. Luke’s Graduate School of Nursing, Japan
Takuro Shimbo, Research Institute, International Medical Center, Japan
Shunichi Fukuhara, Department of Epidemiology and Healthcare Research, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Japan
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by Clinical Research Grant from St. Luke's Life Science Institute
Correspondence to: Yasuharu Tokuda, MD, MPH; Clinical Practice Evaluation and Research Center, St. Luke's Life Science Institute, St Luke’s International Hospital 9-1 Akashi-cho, Chuo-city, Tokyo 104-8560, Japan. tokuyasu@orange.ocn.ne.jp
Telephone: +81-3-5550-2426 Fax: +81-3-5550-2426
Received: October 20, 2006
Revised: November 25, 2006
Accepted: December 4, 2006
Published online: January 28, 2007
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms and the nature of consequent utilization of health care services in a Japanese population.

METHODS: Using self-report, we conducted a prospective cohort study of a nationally representative sample of the Japanese population over a one-month period to determine the incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms of all kinds and resultant health care utilization. Both information on visits to physicians and use of complementary and alternative medicine therapies were collected.

RESULTS: From a total of 3568 in the recruitment sample, 3477 participants completed a health diary (response rate 97%). The data of 112 participants with baseline active gastrointestinal diseases were excluded from the analysis, leaving 3365 participants in the study. The incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms was 25% and the mean number of symptomatic episodes was 0.66 in a month. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, constipation and dyspepsia were the most frequent symptoms. Female gender, younger age, and low baseline quality of life were risk factors for developing these symptoms. The participants were more likely to treat themselves, using dietary, complementary or alternative medicines, than to visit physicians, except in the case of vomiting.

CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in the Japanese population, with an incidence of 25%. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, constipation and dyspepsia are the most frequent symptoms. Risk factors for developing these symptoms include female gender, younger age, and low baseline quality of life.

Keywords: Gastrointestinal diseases; Abdominal Pain; Diarrhea; Nausea; Constipation; Dyspepsia