Gut Liver.  2015 Jul;9(4):509-515. 10.5009/gnl14109.

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Young Military Men

• Bang CS
• Kim YS
• Han JH
• Lee YS
• Baik GH
• Kim JB
• Suk KT
• Yoon JH
• Kim DJ

• KMID: 2160635
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5009/gnl14109

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
To estimate the prevalence and evaluate the associated psychological factors of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in males in their twenties who are currently enrolled in military service.
METHODS
A total of 1,073 men in the Korean army were asked to complete questionnaires based on the Rome III criteria and Symptom Checklist-90-revised (SCL-90R). The prevalence of FGIDs was estimated, and the associated psychological factors were evaluated.
RESULTS
A total of 967 men participated. The total prevalence of FGIDs was 18.5% (age-adjusted prevalence, 18.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 15.3% to 20.8%). The total SCL-90R scores were higher in men with FGIDs than men without FGIDs (24 [interquartile range, 13 to 44] vs 13 [5 to 28], p<0.001) and higher in men with overlapping syndromes than in those with single FGIDs (31 [18 to 57] vs 14 [5.75 to 29], p<0.001). Somatization (odds ratio [OR], 1.141; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.20; p<0.001), obsessive-compulsive behaviors (OR, 1.084; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.14; p=0.002) and depression (OR, 0.943; 95% CI, 0.90 to 0.99; p=0.020) were identified as independent predictive factors for FGIDs.
CONCLUSIONS
FGIDs are common among men in their twenties who are fulfilling their military duty. Somatization and obsessive-compulsive features from the tense atmosphere are associated with the development or progression of FGIDs. Patients who exhibit overlapping syndromes require greater attention given their more severe psychopathology.

Keyword

Gastrointestinal diseases; Military; Psychologic factors

MeSH Terms

Depression/complications
Gastrointestinal Diseases/*epidemiology/psychology
Humans
Male
Military Personnel/psychology/*statistics & numerical data
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/complications
Prevalence
Psychopathology
Republic of Korea/epidemiology
Somatoform Disorders/complications
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult