Prevalence and Burden of Disorders of Gut–Brain Interaction in Nigeria: Results From the Rome Foundation Global Epidemiology Study
Abdulsalam I. Aliyu, Tom van Gils, Jóhann P. Hreinsson, Mary Duguru, Pantong Davwar, Michael Okorie, David Nyam, Patience Omaiye, Crystal Umejiaku, Olive Obienu, Uchenna Ijoma, Mbang Kooffreh‐Ada, Kefas Zawaya, Charles Onyekwere, Adegboyega Akere, Shrikant I. Bangdiwala, Hans Törnblom, Olafur S. Palsson, Ami D. Sperber, Edith Okeke, Magnus SimrénABSTRACT
Background
Data on the prevalence and impact of disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBI) are lacking for most parts of Africa, including Nigeria, the country with the largest population on the continent. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and burden of DGBI among adults in the Nigerian general population.
Methods
Nigerian data from the Rome Foundation Global Epidemiology Study (RFGES) were obtained by trained interviewers using face‐to‐face household interviews. The questionnaire included the Rome IV diagnostic questionnaire to assess the presence of DGBI, psychological distress (PHQ‐4), non‐GI somatic symptom severity (PHQ‐12), mental and physical quality of life (PROMIS‐10), health care utilization, and dietary intake.
Key Results
One thousand six hundred and thirty‐two individuals (48.6% females, mean age 44 (range 18–100) years) were sampled. The prevalence of any DGBI in Nigeria was 23.5% (95% CI: 21.5–25.6), with a higher prevalence in females (26.1%) than in males (21.0%). The highest prevalence of DGBI per gastrointestinal anatomical region was for bowel disorders (17.6%). The most prevalent individual DGBI diagnoses were functional dyspepsia (7.3%) and unspecified functional bowel disorder (6.6%). Compared to individuals without DGBI, individuals with DGBI were older, had reduced quality of life, increased psychological symptoms and associated healthcare utilization burden. There was a higher prevalence of any DGBI reported in the northern regions than in the southern regions.
Conclusions
DGBI are prevalent and impactful in Nigeria, in line with studies from other parts of the world that utilized the face‐to‐face survey methodology. More studies are needed to further understand the distribution and impact of DGBI in Nigeria and other similar countries around the world where they are understudied.