DOI: 10.36347/sasjm.2024.v10i06.024

Pages: 587-591

Purpose: This study is intended to determine the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders associated with abdominal pain and the symptoms pertinent to these diseases in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in Izmit primary schools. Subject and Method: A total of 998 participants consisting of 6th-7th-8th grade students from five primary schools in Izmit were included in the study. The Roma III questionnaire, which questions the symptoms of functional gastrointestinal disorders, and a questionnaire revealing their sociodemographic characteristics were conducted on the participants. Results: In our study, 9.3% of 998 adolescents with a mean age of 13.03 years had at least one functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGD) associated with abdominal pain. The most commonly detected disorders were abdominal migraine (4.8%) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS (3.9%), respectively. Functional dyspepsia (FD) turned out in 2.6%, while FGD associated with Abdominal Pain (FAPS) revealed in 0.8% and Functional Abdominal Pain (FAP) in 2.2%. Conclusion: Symptoms related to functional gastrointestinal disorders are frequently encountered in 10-15 year old students. This situation reduces their quality of life, and in turn their school attendance and may cause a decrease in their school success. Screening and treatment of these symptoms is of great importance in the primary step. The conduct of the Roma III questionnaire, which we adapted to Turkish, to patients with gastrointestinal complaints may facilitate the work of physicians.