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Published on: June 29, 2019
Dyspepsia in homeless adults
Stephen W Hwang1, Sunny Y C Wong, Gordon J M Bargh
1Centre for Research on Inner City Health, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. hwangs@smh.toronto.on.ca
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
|May 25, 2006
Summary
Dyspepsia, or indigestion, significantly affects homeless adults in Toronto, with nearly 60% experiencing symptoms. A history of gastrointestinal disease is a key risk factor for upper stomach pain in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Homeless populations face numerous risk factors for dyspepsia.
- Limited data exists on gastrointestinal symptom prevalence in homeless individuals.
- Understanding dyspepsia in this demographic is crucial for targeted health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of dyspepsia among homeless adults in Toronto.
- To identify significant risk factors associated with dyspepsia in this population.
- To explore the role of Helicobacter pylori infection in homeless individuals with dyspepsia.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a representative sample of 100 homeless adults.
- Participants were recruited from homeless shelters in Toronto, Canada.
- Serologic testing for Helicobacter pylori infection was performed.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of any dyspeptic symptom was 59% within the past three months.
- Moderate to very severe upper stomach pain affected 18% of participants.
- Nonwhite ethnicity (OR 3.5) and a history of gastrointestinal disease (OR 8.6) were significantly linked to upper stomach pain.
- Helicobacter pylori infection was present in 31% but not significantly associated with dyspepsia.
Conclusions:
- Dyspepsia is a prevalent gastrointestinal issue among homeless adults in Toronto.
- A history of gastrointestinal disease is the strongest predictor of upper stomach pain.
- Further research may be needed to understand the specific drivers of dyspepsia in this population.
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