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Uninvestigated dyspepsia common, global prevalence varies
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A recent meta-analysis showed overall prevalence of uninvestigated dyspepsia is common, but geographically variable.
Seeking more precise estimates of prevalence and understanding of risk factors, Alexander C. Ford, MBChB, MD, FRCP, from St. James University Hospital and University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, and colleagues performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of global uninvestigated dyspepsia. They searched for cross-sectional surveys published from 1947 to January 2014 that reported dyspepsia prevalence in patients aged 15 years and older who were recruited from the general population or community, and calculated pooled prevalence.
Alexander C. Ford
Overall, 103 articles reporting the prevalence of uninvestigated dyspepsia in 100 study populations representing 312,415 individuals were included in the analysis. Pooled prevalence of uninvestigated dyspepsia was 20.8% (95% CI, 17.8%-23.9%), but it varied across nations (1.8%-57%) and definition criteria. A broad definition of dyspepsia (29.5%; 95% CI, 25.3%-33.8%) or upper abdominal or epigastric pain or discomfort (20.4%; 95% CI, 16.3%-24.8%) yielded the highest prevalence estimates. Higher prevalence was observed for women (OR = 1.24; 95% CI, 1.13-1.36), active smokers (OR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.12-1.4), NSAID users (OR = 1.59; 95% CI, 1.27-1.99) and Helicobacter pylori-positive patients (OR = 1.18; 95% CI, 1.04-1.33).
“These data provide a robust estimate of prevalence of uninvestigated dyspepsia, and could aid health service provision planning,” Ford told Healio Gastroenterology. “They confirm that uninvestigated dyspepsia is common, with up to one in five individuals worldwide affected. However, the prevalence varied strikingly worldwide, even when the same criteria were used to define its presence. In addition, known risk factors were only modestly associated with the presence of uninvestigated dyspepsia, highlighting the potential importance of other differences, including culture, ethnicity, genetics, and diet.” – by Adam Leitenberger
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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