Smoking is associated with several functional gastrointestinal symptoms

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Epidemiology
• Lifestyle Medicine

Background:

• The causes of functional gastrointestinal symptoms (FGIS) remain unclear, particularly in middle-aged and older populations.
• Limited research exists on the impact of lifestyle factors on FGIS in these age groups.
• This study investigates FGIS prevalence and lifestyle associations in a Swedish cohort.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal symptoms in a Swedish population-based cohort of middle-aged to elder subjects.
• To examine the associations between FGIS and lifestyle factors, specifically smoking and alcohol consumption.
• To identify potential risk and protective factors for FGIS in older adults.

Main Methods:

• A web-based questionnaire from the EpiHealth study was used, including 16,840 participants aged 45-75.
• Subjects with diagnosed organic gastrointestinal diseases were excluded from the analysis.
• Associations between smoking, alcohol habits, and defined FGIS were calculated, adjusting for relevant demographic and lifestyle parameters.

Main Results:

• Current and former smoking were significantly associated with increased odds of functional abdominal pain.
• Former smoking correlated with higher odds of functional bloating and functional constipation.
• A trend suggested that moderate alcohol intake was associated with a reduced risk of functional abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea.

Conclusions:

• Smoking is a significant lifestyle factor associated with an increased risk of functional abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation.
• Moderate alcohol consumption appears to have a protective effect, potentially decreasing the risk of functional gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Lifestyle modifications, including smoking cessation and moderate alcohol intake, may play a role in managing FGIS.