Uninvestigated dyspepsia and its related factors in an Iranian community

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and determinants of uninvestigated dyspepsia in the Iranian population.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted in Tehran province from May 2006 to December 2007, included 18,180 adult persons selected randomly. The study took place at Shahid Beheshti University, MC, Tehran, Iran. A questionnaire was completed in 2 steps. In the first part, personal characteristics and 11 gastrointestinal symptoms were inserted. Those who reported at least one of these 11 symptoms were referred for the second interview, which consisted of questions on different gastrointestinal disorders based on Rome III criteria, including uninvestigated dyspepsia.

RESULTS: The prevalence rate of uninvestigated dyspepsia was 8.5% (10.9% in women and 6.4% in men). Among the subjects diagnosed with dyspepsia, bothersome postprandial fullness was the most common symptom (41.5%). Uninvestigated dyspepsia was more common in low educated and widowed participants. Approximately 41.4% of patients had a history of depression, and 66.1% had self report of stress. The prevalence of functional irritable bowel syndrome in patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia was 8.3% and gastroesophageal reflux disease was 64.9%.

CONCLUSION: Uninvestigated dyspepsia has a less common prevalence in the general Iranian population than developed countries. Women, older, obese, widowed, and low education subjects are more likely to suffer from dyspepsia.