Abdominal pain in New Zealand general practice.

AIM

To describe the clinical management of patients presenting with abdominal pain to New Zealand general practitioners.

METHODS

A study sample was drawn from a computer database of general practice consultation records. Over the 12 month period 1 July 1993 to 30 June 1994, 4606 consultations for abdominal pain were analysed.

RESULTS

Of patients seen in general practice 2.1% consulted with abdominal pain. The majority of patients were women aged 16-45, who presented within one week of onset of symptoms. A diagnosis was recorded in only 55% of cases but management did not appear to be dependent on a diagnosis being made. Treatment was offered in 75% of consultations, though only 34.9% resulted in a prescription.

CONCLUSIONS

Abdominal pain is a common presentation in general practice. We should be aware that it is often of indeterminate aetiology and often resolves spontaneously.