Gastrointestinal functional disorders: a national evaluation survey on symptoms and management

OBJECTIVE: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was completed by patients with gastrointestinal functional disorders to determine symptoms and management strategies employed. METHODS: The questionnaire was filled out by 1266 patients who complained of abdominal pain in 8 out of 10 cases as well as disturbed bowel movements and abdominal distension. RESULTS: Half of the patients had started self medication, generally before consulting their general practitioner. The patients were generally satisfied with their medical care. Superior efficacy was observed for antispasmodics in combination or not with anxiolytic agents (75%, 71% and 69% efficacy respectively). The digestive disorders led to an interruption of occupational activities in 21% of the patients. DISCUSSION: Optimal management of patients with this benign chronic disorder that nevertheless has a major impact on their quality of life requires sufficient knowledge of the opinions of both the patients and their physicians. A second survey on this question has been initiated. (C) 2001, Masson. Paris.