Korean J Gastroenterol.  2018 Oct;72(4):163-169. 10.4166/kjg.2018.72.4.163.

Gender Difference in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

• Lee JY
• Park KS

• KMID: 2424107
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2018.72.4.163

Abstract

Functional gastrointestinal diseases (FGIDs) are known to be influenced more by a lowering of the quality of life, such as mental health and sleep quality, compared to organic diseases. Genetic, microbiological, molecular biological, and social environmental factors are involved in the pathophysiology of FGIDs. In particular, mental factors, such as depression and anxiety, play a major role in the development of FGIDs. The prevalence of most FGIDs is higher in women. Gender needs to be analyzed in patients with FGIDs because it can have a great influence on the onset of FGIDs. Because there are differences in the treatment response according to gender, further research in the development of therapeutic drugs considering this gender difference will be needed, and ultimately it will be possible to lower the prevalence of FGIDs and improve the quality of life of patients.

Keyword

Sex; Gender; Irritable bowel syndromes; Functional gastrointestinal disorders

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Depression
Female
Gastrointestinal Diseases*
Humans
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Mental Health
Prevalence
Quality of Life
Social Environment

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Cumulative life course risk factors for non-communicable disease. As adults become older and older, the influence of gender related to social factors is greater than that of their biological gender. Adapted from Darnton-Hill et al.22, with permission from Public Health Nutr.

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