Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka.
J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2012 Apr;54(4):516-20. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0b013e318236051d.
Aerophagia is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterised by repetitive air swallowing, abdominal distension, belching, and flatulence. In severe cases, it can lead to pneumoperitonium, volvulus of the colon, and intestinal perforation. Little is known about the epidemiology and clinical profile of affected children. The main objective of the present study was to assess the epidemiology of aerophagia in 10- to 16-year-olds in Sri Lanka.
A school-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in 8 randomly selected schools in 4 randomly selected provinces in Sri Lanka. Data were collected using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire, which was distributed in an examination setting and collected on the same day. Trained research assistants were present during completion of the questionnaire, for any required clarification. Aerophagia was diagnosed using the Rome III criteria.
In the present study, aerophagia was seen in 163 (7.5%) of the 2163 children evaluated. The prevalence was higher in older children (10.5% in 15-year-olds) and no sex difference was observed (boys 8.2% vs girls 6.8%, P>0.05). Intestinal-related (abdominal pain, nausea, and anorexia) and extraintestinal symptoms (headache, limb pain, sleeping difficulty, photophobia, and lightheadedness) were more prevalent among affected children (P<0.05). A higher percentage of affected children were found to be exposed to stressful events when compared with controls (P<0.05).
The present study highlights the high prevalence of aerophagia among Sri Lankan children and adolescents. This condition is more common in those exposed to emotional stress. Intestinal-related symptoms and extraintestinal somatic symptoms are frequently seen in affected children.
吞气症是一种以反复吞气、腹胀、呃逆和放屁为特征的功能性胃肠疾病。在严重的情况下，它可能导致气腹、结肠扭转和肠穿孔。目前对于受影响儿童的流行病学和临床特征知之甚少。本研究的主要目的是评估斯里兰卡 10 至 16 岁儿童吞气症的流行病学。
在斯里兰卡随机选择的 4 个省的 8 所随机选择的学校进行了基于学校的横断面调查。使用预先测试的自我管理问卷收集数据，该问卷在考试环境中分发，并在同一天收集。在完成问卷时，有经过培训的研究助理在场，以提供任何必要的澄清。使用罗马 III 标准诊断吞气症。
在本研究中，2163 名评估儿童中有 163 名（7.5%）患有吞气症。在年龄较大的儿童中（15 岁时为 10.5%）患病率较高，且未观察到性别差异（男孩 8.2%，女孩 6.8%，P>0.05）。与对照组相比，受影响儿童更常出现与肠道相关的症状（腹痛、恶心和食欲不振）和与肠道无关的躯体症状（头痛、肢体疼痛、睡眠困难、畏光和头晕）（P<0.05）。与对照组相比，受影响儿童更多地接触到压力事件（P<0.05）。
本研究强调了斯里兰卡儿童和青少年中吞气症的高患病率。这种情况在那些暴露于情绪压力的人中更为常见。受影响儿童常出现与肠道相关的症状和与肠道无关的躯体症状。
