A study of prevalence of stress related functional gastrointestinal disorders in urban / rural civilian population and paramilitary population in kashmir valley

Background: The functional gastrointestinal disorders (EGID) are the most common condition seen in gastroenterology clinics and they constitute a significant number of primary case visits. FGID symptoms are common in the community, only a small percentage seeks medical attention. The psychosocial factors which play a crucial role in FGID are acute chronic stress, personality structure and coping skills. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of symptoms of chronic functional gastrointestinal disorders. Methodology: A population sample of 500 was taken from each of the six districts of Kashmir valley. An effort was made to keep the population sample similar with respect to age, gender, educational background, smoking, alcohol consumption history of NSAID intake and past history of medical / psychiatric problem. An aliquot of subjects fulfilling the criteria for functional gastrointestinal disorders but with any alarming sign / symptom of bleeding PR, nocturnal pain and / or loss of appetite in any age group but especially in the elderly age group were taken for detailed clinical examination and the following relevant investigations. Results: The difference in the age (years) was statistically non-significant. There was a non-significant difference in distribution of sex in six districts. The prevalence of all functional G.I. symptoms except excessive gas / bloating was higher in females than in males. In Kashmir valley, 20.3% of study population was having abdominal pain before 1990 while as it was present in 48.2% after 1990. Loose water stool recorded an increase from 3. 75 to 9.4% which is statistically significant. Although Nausea / Vomiting also increased from 9.2% to 11.6% but the difference was statistically not significant. Conclusion: We observed sudden clustering of various functional gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal symptomatology among the inhabitants of the valley and the paramilitary personnel deployed in this region during this period of turmoil.