Dyspepsia in Homeless Adults

Goals: To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for dyspepsia in a representative sample of homeless persons using shelters in Toronto, Canada. Background: Homeless people have many risk factors for dyspepsia, but little information is available on gastrointestinal symptoms in this population. Study: Cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 100 homeless adults, with serologic testing for Helicobacter pylori infection. Results: The prevalence of moderate, severe, or very severe symptoms within the past 3 months was 18 % for upper stomach pain and 59 % for any dyspeptic symptom. Nonwhite ethnicity (odds ratio, 3.5; 95 % confidence interval, 1.1–10.9) and a history of gastrointestinal disease (odds ratio, 8.6; 95 % confidence interval, 2.5–29.6) were significantly associated with moderate to very severe upper stomach pain. H. pylori infection was identified in 31 % of participants but was not significantly associated with dyspepsia. Conclusions: Dyspepsia is a common problem among homeless adults in Toronto. The presence of upper stomach pain is most strongly associated with a history of gastrointestinal disease. Key Words: homeless persons, dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease, Helicobacter pylor