Functional gastrointestinal disorders as a public health problem

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Public Health
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are prevalent, chronic conditions posing significant public health challenges due to their disabling nature and socioeconomic burden.
• Current diagnostic criteria lack precision, and the understanding of FGIDs' pathological and biochemical underpinnings is evolving, with emerging evidence of morphometric abnormalities.
• The quality of care for FGID patients and the full spectrum of their comorbidities remain poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the public health significance of FGIDs.
• To identify key areas for future research, including prevention, disease severity definition, and risk stratification for treatment.
• To underscore the need for objective tools to assess FGID severity and guide therapeutic decisions.

Main Methods:

• Review of current understanding and research gaps in FGIDs.
• Analysis of factors influencing FGID severity, including symptom burden, psychological distress, and quality of life.
• Discussion of potential mortality risks associated with FGIDs and their management.

Main Results:

• FGIDs are common, disabling, and impose a substantial burden.
• Pathological correlates for FGIDs are being identified, challenging previous assumptions.
• Comorbidities and the impact on quality of life are significant but not fully explained.
• Methods for preventing FGIDs post-infection require investigation.
• Disease severity assessment is crucial but complex, influenced by multiple interacting factors.
• Potential increased mortality risk in FGID patients exists due to factors like invasive procedures.

Conclusions:

• FGIDs represent a major public health issue requiring better definition of severity and improved patient care strategies.
• Future research should focus on objective tools for risk stratification and treatment decisions in FGIDs.
• Understanding and mitigating potential mortality risks associated with FGIDs is essential given their high prevalence.