A Cross-sectional Investigation on Characteristics of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in China

Gastrointestinal Symptoms Characteristics and Chinese Medicine Patterns in Patients With Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDs) in China: a Multicenter Cross-sectional Investigation

The investigators will conduct a multicenter cross-sectional study to discover symptom characteristics, quality of life, severity of anxiety and depression, status of lactose intolerance and treatment satisfaction of current Chinese Medicine (CM) regimens of outpatients with FGIDs. In the meanwhile, the investigators will also analyze the characters of CM patterns and corresponding elements, then explore the potential relationship between CM patterns and FGIDs' subtypes.

This is a multicenter cross-sectional study to discover symptom characteristics, quality of life, severity of anxiety and depression, status of lactose intolerance and treatment satisfaction of current Chinese Medicine (CM) regimens of outpatients with FGIDs. Afterwards, the investigators will explore the potential relationship between CM patterns and FGIDs' subtypes based on collected information. It is estimated that 4,632 outpatients from 18 centers across China will be recruited. Various demographic and disease-related information will be documented, including name, gender, age, education level, marital status, job category, disease course, medical consultation experience, current CM regimens and rationale, and treatment satisfaction. Patients will also complete a series of scales, containing, Rome IV Diagnostic Questionnaire, Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO) scale, the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), lactose food frequency questionnaire (Lactose FFQ) and CM pattern scale. The primary outcome will be the symptom characteristics of outpatients with FGIDs. Secondary outcomes include population characteristics of FGID patients (quality of life, emotional status, lactose intolerance status, and satisfaction level of CM interventions), and potential association between CM patterns and FGIDs' subtypes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Symptoms onset at least 3 months
• Meet the diagnostic criteria of FGIDs
• Informed consent and ability to read and understand questionnaires

Exclusion Criteria:

• Combined with organic gastrointestinal diseases
• Appearance of gastrointestinal alarm symptoms
• Combined with mental disorders