Simons, J., Shajee, U., Palsson, O. et al. (5 more authors) (2022) Disorders of gut‐brain interaction: highly prevalent and burdensome yet under‐taught within medical education. United European Gastroenterology Journal, 10 (7). pp. 736-744. ISSN 2050-6406
Abstract
Background and Objective
To determine the population prevalence and associated health impairment of disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) across Great Britain, and the emphasis placed upon them within medical education.
Methods
An Internet-based cross-sectional health survey was completed by 1906 general population adults across Great Britain without self-reported organic GI disease. The survey enquired for demographics, symptom-based criteria for Rome IV DGBI, healthcare use, non-GI somatic symptoms, and quality of life. As a separate analysis, we evaluated which DGBI are considered core knowledge at undergraduate medical school level and post-graduate specialization level for Gastroenterologists and General Practitioners.
Results
The overall prevalence of DGBI across Great Britain was 37%, being similar for England (37%), Scotland (33%), and Wales (36%); p = 0.66. There was no difference between English regions (range 33%–43%, p = 0.26). The prevalence of DGBI was highest in those aged 18–40 years (40%), then 40–64 years (37%), and least amongst those ≥65 years (29%); p < 0.001. The most common DGBI were bowel disorders (30%), followed by gastroduodenal (10.5%), anorectal (8.1%) and oesophageal disorders (6.2%). Individuals with DGBI were significantly more likely than those without DGBI to have increased GI-related healthcare visits, medication use, surgical interventions, non-GI somatic symptoms, and reduced quality of life. One-in-three people with DGBI had multiple GI organ regions involved and this correlated with increased health impairment (p < 0.001).
The only DGBI mentioned across all medical training curricula is irritable bowel syndrome, while the General Practitioner and Gastroenterology Curricula also recognise the outdated term non-ulcer dyspepsia (as opposed to functional dyspepsia). The 2010 Gastroenterology Curriculum also includes functional constipation and disordered defecation, with the incoming 2022 iteration adding in functional upper GI syndromes, functional abdominal pain, and opioid-induced GI disturbances.
Conclusion
Disorders of gut-brain interaction are common across Great Britain and incur substantial health impairment. However, they are generally under-taught within the British medical education system. Increasing awareness and education of disorders of gut-brain interaction might improve patient outcomes.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2022 The Authors. United European Gastroenterology Journal published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of United European Gastroenterology. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made. |
Keywords: | constipation; DGBI; disorders of gut-brain interaction; FGID; functional gastrointestinal disorders; IBS; irritable bowel syndrome; motility; motility disorders |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > Department of Infection and Immunity (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 06 Jul 2022 14:47 |
Last Modified: | 01 Mar 2023 13:38 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1002/ueg2.12271 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:188735 |