[Referrals to a gastroenterology outpatient clinic: differences according to patients' geographical origin]

The characteristics of users of the Spanish public health system have been evaluated in multiple studies. However, these studies usually refer to users of primary care and emergency services and less frequently to users of specialized services. Some studies have described differences according to patients' geographical origin.

To analyze the demographic profile of patients attending our gastroenterology outpatient clinic over a prolonged period.

The geographical origin, age and sex of all patients referred for an initial consultation in the gastroenterology outpatient clinic from 2001-2003 were analyzed.

Women accounted for 53.7% of all appointments but no significant differences in referral rates were observed in comparison with men. A total of 65.5% of patients were from urban areas and the referral rate was significantly higher in these patients than in those from rural areas, although attendance rates were equal between patients from the two types of area. Referral rates increased in direct proportion with age; a predominance of referrals was observed in women aged < 74 years and in men aged 75 years or older. Some discrepancies were found among the distinct years analyzed.

In our catchment area, demand is greater in the urban population than in the rural population. No overall differences were found in sex but significant differences were found in age and length of follow-up.