Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common in the community, are of chronic nature and pose a significant health care burden. The causes and pathogenetic mechanisms of FGIDs are not fully known. FGID are classified into three major domains: functional dyspepsia, functional bowel disorders including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and heartburn. The aim was to study the natural history of FGID in the Icelandic population over a 10-year period. Only one other study has been performed on FGIDs using the same methodology, in Olmsted County Minnesota, USA and thus providing the possibility of a direct comparison. Secondary objectives of the study were: 1) to compare the prevalence and stability of IBS according to the Manning criteria, Rome II, Rome III subtypes, and self-reported IBS over a 10 year period: 2) to study IBS and dysmenorrhea in women and to assess the change in IBS over menopause: 3) to study if and how physicians use the IBS criteria and to assess treatment... Это и многое другое вы найдете в книге Epidemiological study on the Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (Linda Olafsdottir)