[Clinical aspects and management of adult patients with acute gastroenteritis in primary care]

International audienceAIM: In patients with acute gastroenteritis, general behaviour of patients as well as medical care remain poorly documented. The aim of this work was to determine clinical and demographic characteristics, reason for visiting a doctor, and medical care in adult patients with acute gastroenteritis. METHODS: During the winter epidemic peak of acute diarrhea, 2,217 general practitioners filled in standardized clinical observations of 17,273 patients (mean age 40 yrs) with acute gastroenteritis. RESULTS: There were abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting in respectively 72%, 53% and 43% of patients. Thirty one percent of patients had fever. Nausea and vomiting were more frequently observed in younger patients (15-25 yrs) than in older ones. More severe diarrhea more frequent nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain (p