[Dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux in adolescents]. / Dispepsiia i gastroézofageal'nyi refliuks u podrostkov.

AIM: To study the prevalence and risk factors for dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) among adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Senior schoolchildren (forms 9-11) of four randomly selected secondary schools of Novosibirsk participated in the study (189 boys and 260 girls aged 14-17 years). They filled in the Bowel Disease Questionnaire, and sera were tested for antibodies against Helicobacter pylori infection. RESULTS: Dyspepsia was reported by 21% of the schoolchildren, being more frequent in girls (25%) than boys (14%, p = 0.004). GER occurred in 22% of adolescents with the same frequency in both genders. The combination of dyspepsia with GER was found in 8%. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 56%. No association was found between the infection and abdominal symptoms, except heartburn. Among factors associated with dyspepsia were female gender, irregular meals, family history of dyspepsia. GER was related to H. pylori infection, obesity, smoking and irregular meals, 46% of adolescents with dyspepsia and 36% of those with GER have consulted a physician, and school absenteeism was reported by 55 and 40%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux are widespread among the adolescent population and result in frequent use of health care resources.

[Prevalence and risk factors of the development of irritable bowel syndrome in adolescents: a population study]. / Rasprostranennost' i faktory riska razvitiia sindroma razdrazhennogo kishechnika u podrostkov: populiatsionnoe issledovanie.

AIM: To determine prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and associated factors in a community-based population of adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 189 schoolboys and 250 schoolgirls aged 14-17 years from four randomly chosen schools of Novosibirsk participated in the study. RESULTS: The prevalence of IBS defined according to Rome criteria was higher in girls (24 vs 14% in boys, p = 0.01). Colonic pain frequency was similar in both genders (11% in girls vs 9% in boys, p = 0.46), however disturbed defecation occurred significantly more often in girls than in boys (16 vs 7%, p = 0.003). Half of the subjects who reported IBS had also dyspeptic symptoms. Fiber-rich diet and/or laxatives to prevent constipation were used by 2% of boys and 7% of girls (p = 0.012). However, only one third of those having less than 3 stools a week thought it abnormal. IBS is associated with the age over 15-16 years, female gender, abdominal pain in childhood, appendectomy, irregular meals and smoking (in girls). No association was found with other socio-demographic factors and serological markers of some infections and invasions (H. pylori, G. lamblia, O. felineus, hepatitis viruses B and C). Of the persons with diagnosable IBS, 49% have consulted a physician about it, 21% have undergone upper endoscopy. School absenteeism was reported by 62% of the IBS sufferers. CONCLUSION: IBS is common among adolescents (especially girls) with the prevalence rates similar to those described in adults from West Europe and USA. These disorders are associated with significant disability and health care costs.