R.C. Heading
Discrepancies between upper GI symptoms described by those who have them and their identification by conventional medical terminology: a survey of sufferers in four countries
Heading, R.C.; Thomas, E.C.M.; Sandy, P.; Smith, G.; Fass, R.; Hungin, P.S.
Authors
E.C.M. Thomas
P. Sandy
G. Smith
R. Fass
P.S. Hungin
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a self-administered questionnaire for upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms using lay vocabulary uninfluenced by established medical terminology or concepts and to conduct a survey of symptom occurrence among sufferers in four countries. Methods: The questionnaire was designed by integrating information gained from the vocabulary used by 38 upper GI symptom sufferers. There was no medical input to its development. The questionnaire was then used, after appropriate translation, in Brazil, Russia, the UK and the USA. Details of 10 659 symptom episodes were obtained from 2665 individuals. Results: Nine symptoms described in lay vocabulary were identified during questionnaire development. Of these, one corresponded to regurgitation, whereas two that were distinguished by survey participants might both be interpreted as heartburn. One chest symptom for which a corresponding medical term was uncertain occurred in ~30% of the respondents. Five different 'stomach' or abdominal symptoms were identified. The predominant symptom and the pattern of concurrent symptoms often varied from one symptom episode to another. Use of the terms 'heartburn', 'reflux', 'indigestion' and 'burning stomach' to describe symptoms varied between countries. Conclusion: Some common upper GI symptoms described by those who suffer them have no clear counterpart in conventional medical terminology. Inadequacy of the conventional terminology in this respect deserves attention, first, to characterize it fully, and thereafter to construct enquiry that delivers more precise symptom identification. Our results suggest that improvement may require the use of vocabulary of individuals suffering the symptoms without imposing conformity with established symptom concepts.
Citation
Heading, R., Thomas, E., Sandy, P., Smith, G., Fass, R., & Hungin, P. (2016). Discrepancies between upper GI symptoms described by those who have them and their identification by conventional medical terminology: a survey of sufferers in four countries. European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 28(4), 455-462. https://doi.org/10.1097/meg.0000000000000565
Journal Article Type | Article |
---|---|
Acceptance Date | Dec 2, 2015 |
Online Publication Date | Jan 5, 2016 |
Publication Date | Apr 1, 2016 |
Deposit Date | Jan 28, 2016 |
Publicly Available Date | Jan 29, 2016 |
Journal | European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology |
Print ISSN | 0954-691X |
Electronic ISSN | 1473-5687 |
Publisher | Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins |
Peer Reviewed | Peer Reviewed |
Volume | 28 |
Issue | 4 |
Pages | 455-462 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1097/meg.0000000000000565 |
Keywords | Dyspepsia, Gastroesophageal reflux, Heartburn, Humans, Questionnaires, Symptoms, Upper gastrointestinal tract, Vocabulary. |
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Accepted Journal Article
(469 Kb)
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Publisher Licence URL
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Copyright Statement
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License 4.0 (CCBYNCND), where it is permissible to download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially.
Published Journal Article
(479 Kb)
PDF
Publisher Licence URL
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
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