UCLA

Background & aims

Abdominal pain is the most common gastrointestinal symptom reported in ambulatory clinics, but little is known about its prevalence and burden of illness in the general community. We conducted a population-based survey to determine the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and healthcare-seeking behavior of persons with abdominal pain.

Methods

Using an online survey research firm, we recruited a representative sample of adults (18 years or older) with a history of abdominal pain. The survey included questions about abdominal pain severity as measured by GI PROMIS (a validated patient-reported outcome questionnaire), healthcare-seeking behaviors, and tests performed to evaluate symptoms. We used multivariable regression models to adjust for confounding.

Results

Overall, 24,929 individuals accessed the survey and 10,300 respondents reported experiencing abdominal pain and completed the questionnaire. Most participants (81.0%) were symptomatic in the past week, as measured by GI PROMIS. Of participants with prior pain, 61.5% sought medical care for their symptoms; non-Hispanic Blacks, Latinos, and participants with more education, insurance, a usual source of care, comorbidities, and more severe pain had increased odds for seeking care. Participants who sought care consulted with the following providers: primary care physicians (84.5%), gastroenterologists (39.2%), nurse practitioners or physician assistants (18.6%), obstetricians or gynecologists (8.3%), general surgeons (7.1%), or rheumatologists (3.2%). Moreover, 72.4% of healthcare seekers received tests to evaluate their pain: cross-sectional imaging (54.2%), colonoscopy (52.3%), upper endoscopy (40.8%), exploratory surgery (6.3%), or capsule endoscopy (5.0%).

Conclusions

The burden of illness and healthcare use associated with abdominal pain is high in the United States. However, 2 of 5 individuals did not seek care for their symptoms and many of them might have undiagnosed, treatable disorders.