MONDAY, Oct. 13, 2003 (HealthDayNews) -- Many Americans who have functional dyspepsia also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), says an American study released Monday.
In a survey of 723 people, it found 70 percent of those with IBS had functional dyspepsia and 43 percent of those with dyspepsia had IBS.
"The association between the two syndromes was much greater than expected by chance," researcher Dr. Ashok K. Tuteja, department of gastroenterology, University of Utah, says in a prepared statement. The study is being presented at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in Baltimore.
Overall, 14.7 percent of the survey respondents reported symptoms of dyspepsia, 8.9 percent had IBS symptoms, and 6.2 percent reported both dyspepsia and IBS.
Symptoms of functional dyspepsia, which can significantly impact quality of life, include upper abdominal pain, indigestion and bloating or fullness. It accounts for between 40 percent and 70 percent of gastrointestinal complaints seen in general medical practice.
Survey respondents with symptoms of both IBS and dyspepsia were much more likely to consult a doctor than those with symptoms of dyspepsia or IBS alone. The survey found that 33 percent of the people with symptoms of both syndromes saw their doctor in the previous year, compared to 25 percent of those with IBS alone and 4 percent of those with dyspepsia alone.
Another study presented at the meeting says blacks with functional dyspepsia are younger and more likely than whites to be married. The study also found more whites than blacks with dyspepsia reported having chronic fatigue syndrome, heart palpitations or urinary problems.
The study also found blacks with dyspepsia were more likely than whites to report "having lost interest in things."
More information
Here's where you can learn more about IBS and dyspepsia.
