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  • Title: The prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in children in Panama: a school-based study.
    Author: Lu PL, Saps M, Chanis RA, Velasco-Benítez CA.
    Journal: Acta Paediatr; 2016 May; 105(5):e232-6. PubMed ID: 26933798.
    Abstract:
    AIM: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common in children, but the epidemiology of FGIDs is incompletely understood. Our aim was to perform a population-based study using Rome III criteria to describe the prevalence of FGIDs in children in Panama. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of children attending three schools in Panama City, Panama. Children with organic medical diseases were excluded. Subjects provided demographic information and completed the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms - Rome III Spanish version. RESULTS: A total of 321 subjects (61.1% female, median age 10 years, range 8-14 years) completed our study. A total of 92 subjects (28.7%) met criteria for an FGID. Gender, age and school type did not differ significantly between subjects with and without FGIDs. The most common FGIDs included functional constipation (15.9%), irritable bowel syndrome (5.6%), and functional abdominal pain or functional abdominal pain syndrome (4.0%). Abdominal pain-related FGIDs were present in 12.1%. CONCLUSION: FGIDs are common in school-aged children in Panama. The prevalence of abdominal pain-related FGIDs in children in Panama is similar to that described in other parts of the world. Further population-based studies utilising Rome III criteria to measure FGID prevalence in children are needed to advance our understanding of the pathogenesis of FGIDs.
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