Socio-Economic Determinants and Regional Prevalence of Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction in the Netherlands: Results...

Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) impose significant burdens worldwide, yet reliable regional prevalence estimates are lacking, limiting insight into potential geographic variation. Socio-economic status (SES) may contribute but remains underexplored.

Data were obtained from the Dutch cohort of the Rome Foundation Global Epidemiology Study, including the Rome IV Adult Diagnostic Questionnaire, sociodemographic items, and SES indicators. The Netherlands was divided into three regions (Region 1: South; Region 2: West; Region 3: North-East). Regional prevalence was calculated for any DGBI, groups, and subtypes. Associations with SES were examined using logistic regression.

2008 participants (50% female; age: 48 years [IQR: 31]; BMI: 25.25 kg/m² [IQR: 5.98]) were included. Overall DGBI prevalence was 30.63% (95% CI: 28.65-32.68), with no significant regional differences (Region 1: 30.40%, 95% CI [26.61-34.47]; Region 2: 30.19%, 95% CI [27.19-33.36]; Region 3: 31.45%, 95% CI [27.96-35.16]; p = 1.000). No regional variation was found across DGBI groups or subtypes (all p > 0.05). Younger age (OR = 0.98, 95% CI [0.98-0.99]), female sex (OR = 2.10, 95% CI [1.70-2.59]), underweight (OR = 2.53, 95% CI [1.36-4.73]), and obesity (OR = 1.59, 95% CI [1.19-2.13]) were associated with higher odds of DGBI. In models adjusted for age, sex, and BMI, limited/no healthcare access (OR = 2.47, 95% CI [1.62-3.77], p < 0.0001) was associated with higher DGBI odds, whereas employment showed lower odds (OR = 0.65, 95% CI [0.52-0.81], p < 0.001). Other SES indicators were not associated.

DGBI affect nearly one-third of adults in the Netherlands, with no regional variation in prevalence. Putative risk factors include limited/no healthcare access and unemployment, supporting consideration of socioeconomic determinants in DGBI care, although further research is warranted.