Haycox A, Einarson T, Eggleston A
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, UK.
Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl. 1999;231:38-47. doi: 10.1080/003655299750025255.
The Domestic/International Gastroenterology Surveillance Study (DIGEST) is the first large, multinational, population-based survey to assess the 3-month prevalence and economic/quality-of-life impact of upper gastrointestinal symptoms (UGIS).
A total of 5581 subjects were interviewed in 10 countries (grouped into seven regions). Respondents were classified as having relevant or non-relevant upper gastrointestinal symptoms, and questioned about consumption of healthcare resources in terms of doctor consultations, prescribed and non-prescribed medications, hospital stays and investigations for both gastrointestinal and other health problems. The impact of symptoms in terms of time lost and reduced effectiveness at work or social activities was also recorded.
Twenty-eight percent of the total sample was defined as having clinically relevant UGIS (UGIS of at least moderate severity and with a frequency of at least once per week in the previous 3 months). During the period studied, 20% of these subjects had consulted a family practitioner (16.2%) and/ or a specialist (6.3%), primarily for UGIS. Of those with clinically relevant UGIS, 49% had taken over-the-counter medication, and 27% prescription medication for gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Two percent reported a hospital stay and 27% reported days of reduced or no work, school or domestic productivity due to UGIS. Four percent of all study subjects underwent investigations for UGIS during this period. Variations between countries in these parameters may be due to differences in healthcare systems and cultural attitudes towards UGIS, influencing both the healthcare-seeking behaviour of subjects with UGIS and their management.
国内/国际胃肠病学监测研究（DIGEST）是首个大型、跨国、基于人群的调查，旨在评估上消化道症状（UGIS）的3个月患病率以及对经济/生活质量的影响。
在10个国家（分为7个地区）共访谈了5581名受试者。受访者被分类为有或无相关上消化道症状，并被询问了在医生咨询、处方药和非处方药、住院以及针对胃肠和其他健康问题的检查方面的医疗资源消耗情况。还记录了症状在工作或社交活动中导致的时间损失和效率降低方面的影响。
总样本的28%被定义为患有临床相关的上消化道症状（上消化道症状至少为中度严重，且在过去3个月中每周至少出现一次）。在研究期间，这些受试者中有20%咨询过家庭医生（16.2%）和/或专科医生（6.3%），主要是因为上消化道症状。在患有临床相关上消化道症状的人群中，49%服用过非处方药，27%因胃肠道（GI）症状服用过处方药。2%的人报告曾住院，27%的人报告因上消化道症状导致工作、学习或家庭生产力下降或无生产力的天数。在此期间，所有研究对象中有4%接受了上消化道症状的检查。这些参数在不同国家之间的差异可能是由于医疗系统以及对UGIS的文化态度不同，这既影响了患有UGIS的受试者的就医行为，也影响了对他们的治疗管理。
