Abdominal symptom-related QOL in individuals visiting an outpatient clinic and those attending an annual health check

Abstract

Objective Quality of life (QOL) impairment of patients who visit an outpatient clinic for abdominal symptoms has not been clarified. We investigated symptom-related QOL impairment that led patients to seek medical care. Patients and Methods Abdominal symptom-related QOL was determined using the Izumo scale instrument in 172 patients who visited a clinic for their abdominal symptoms and in 961 healthy subjects who attended an annual health check. Results QOL was more strongly impaired in the patients with abdominal symptoms than in subjects who attended health checks. Patients with heartburn consulted physicians even when QOL impairment was minimal, while those with epigastric fullness tended to consult a physician only when QOL impairment was significant. Conclusion Abdominal symptom-related QOL impairment is considered to lead patients to seek medical care, though different symptoms have varying levels of influence. © 2011 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.