W1387 Preliminary Study on Predictors of Health Status in African-Americans With Functional Bowel Disorders (FBD) Using an NIH Funded Database

Abstract

days in bed due to GI symptoms in past year, organized into three ordinal categories with none vs. ≤ 1 week vs. > 1 week and (2) number of MD visits over the past 6 months, divided into two categories of≤4 and >4 visits. Predictor variables were stepped into models in the following order: demographic factors (age and education), abuse history (physical, sexual, or any abuse), psychological trait (axis I psychiatric status-DIS, neuroticism-NEO), catastrophizing-CSQ, social support-SSQ, VAS stress, stool frequency, stool consistency (percent time with diarrhea or constipation using the Bristol Stool Form Scale), psychological state (Beck Depression Inventory, SCL-90 GSI), pain cognitions with IMIQ, and barostat tracking pressure. Only those variables with p ≤ 0.10 in bivariate analyses were allowed to enter models. Results: Patients studied had a mean age of 40.0 (± 8.7) years and 14.5 (± 2.4) years of education. (1) The odds of having any days in bed vs. none, or having > 1 week vs. ≤ 1 week over the past year were greater in patients with a history of sexual abuse (OR 7.9, CI:1.6-39.9). Odds of more days in bed were also greater with increase in VAS pain score (OR 1.05, CI: 1.01-1.09) and increasing score on the IMIQ severity/constancy (pain) subscale (OR 3.0, CI:1.4-6.8). (2) Number of physician visits was predicted by greater catastrophizing (OR 1.12, CI:1.01-1.26), andmore days with constipation (OR 1.03, CI:1.001.06). Conclusion: This preliminary analysis suggests that in African American women with moderate to severe FBD, increased days in bed due to GI symptoms was related to a history of sexual abuse and increased pain severity. More physician visits was related to catastrophizing and constipation. Further studies are needed to understand the predictors of healthcare utilization in African Americans. [Supported by NIH R24 DK067674 and T32 DK07634]