Functional gastrointestinal disorders in New Zealand

Abstract

Background: Functional gastrointestinal disorders are common worldwide.

Aim: To review functional gastrointestinal disorder prevalence, diagnosis and treatment in New Zealand.

Methods: A Medline search was performed to identify all published studies relating to prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders in New Zealand.

Results: Reflux prevalence is 30% and non-reflux dyspepsia is 34.2%. Helicobacter pylori prevalence varies considerably in NZ by geographical area and ethnicity and overall prevalence of infection is 24% in adults. 50% of patients with dyspepsia presenting for endoscopy in NZ will have no mucosal abnormality identified. National Dyspepsia Guidelines assist in management of patients. Guidelines exist for undifferentiated dyspepsia, Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD), H. pylori, peptic ulcer, NSAID's and gastrointestinal complications. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is reported by 21% of adults. Symptoms were more than twice as frequent and severe in females than males. Access to colonoscopy for investigation of bowel symptoms is limited in NZ and priority is given to patients with "alarm features". Non-invasive markers of inflammation, such as faecal calprotectin, are being used to differentiate the patient with functional diarrhoea from inflammatory bowel disease. Treatment for irritable bowel symptoms is targeted to the predominant symptom.

Conclusions: Functional gastrointestinal disorders are common in New Zealand. There is increasing awareness of dietary management for functional bowel symptoms.