Abstract
Alterations of gut microbiota, intestinal barrier and the gut-brain axis may be involved in pathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Our aim was to assess the prevalence of digestive tract symptoms and identify common variables potentially disrupting the gut-brain axis among participants of the Woodstock Festival Poland, 2017. In total 428 people filled in a questionnaire assessing health of their digestive tract. The investigator collected answers on an electronic device, while the study participant responded using a paper version of the same questionnaire. Liver and gallbladder related symptoms were the most prevalent among our study group (n = 266, 62%), however symptoms related to altered intestinal permeability were found to be the most intensive complaints. In females the intensity of gastrointestinal complaints was higher compared to men (p < 0.05), as well as the incidence of factors with the potential to alter gut-brain axis (p < 0.0001). Chronic psychological distress, intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antibiotics, were the most common associations with gastrointestinal symptoms, which were the most prevalent in females. Further attention should be focused on stress as one of the main factors negatively influencing public health.
Highlights
Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common in the general population, with a prevalence of 10–30% depending on the methodology and on gender and ethnicity [1,2]
We focused our attention on environmental factors, including nutrition and lifestyle elements, as potential pathophysiological factors of FGIDs
The most prevalent gastrointestinal symptom was found to be a consequence of elevated intestinal permeability (F section of Digestive Health Appraisal Questionnaire (DHAQ)), and the least common were symptoms of gastric reflux (G section of DHAQ)
Summary
Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common in the general population, with a prevalence of 10–30% depending on the methodology and on gender and ethnicity [1,2]. In pediatric populations it was estimated that about 25% of children under the age of 18 years fulfilled various criteria for FGIDs [3]. FGIDs frequently overlap alimentary tract symptoms described until recently as unrelated to any physiological mechanisms [4]. The scientific data is mounting that the phenotype of. Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 2256; doi:10.3390/ijerph15102256 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
