Care-seeking behavior associated with 'upper-GI symptoms'

Patients with upper gastrointestinal (GI) complaints visit their general practitioner more often than patients with other conditions. Researchers writing in the open-access journal BMC Family Practice found that people with dyspepsia, heartburn, epigastric discomfort and other upper-abdominal complaints had almost twice as many GP contacts, which were ultimately associated with problems in all organ systems. These patients were twice as frequently referred to specialist care and received twice as many prescriptions.