ONE-YEAR PROGNOSIS OF ABDOMINAL COMPLAINTS IN GENERAL-PRACTICE - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF PATIENTS IN WHOM NO ORGANIC CAUSE IS FOUND

Background. Data on the one-year prognosis of patients with non-organi c, non-acute abdominal complaints in primary care are lacking. Knowled ge of prognostic determinants could be helpful in management and healt h education. Aim. To describe the prognosis after one year of nonorgan ic abdominal complaints in general practice, and to show how this rela tes to socio-demographic factors, medical history and psychological pr oblems. Methods. The one-year prognosis of patients with nonorganic ab dominal complaints in a primary care setting was analysed in a prospec tive study (n = 756). Clinical and psychological factors were measured and their relative risks regarding unfavourable prognosis were calcul ated one year after the first consultation. Results. In 68% of the pat ients examined, the abdominal complaints had either improved or disapp eared by the end of the first year. Female sex and depressive mental s tate were associated with an unfavourable prognosis. Clinical symptoms that were significantly associated with persisting complaints were a combination of abdominal pain, flatulence and bowel irregularities; a specific description of the character of the pain by the patient; loos er stools at the onset of the pain; long duration or recurrence; pyros is; absence of visible distension; and epigastric localization of the pain or tenderness. Conclusions. The prognosis after one year of non-a cute abdominal pain in general practice is better than that reported f rom studies of outpatient populations. Female sex, depressive mood and some clinical parameters are associated with persistent complaints on e year after presentation.