Validation of Rome 2 Criteria for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Korean Patients

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to determine whether symptoms of patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) can be classified according to the Rome II criteria. Methods: Consecutive patients newly visiting Yongdong Severance Hosipital for evaluation of their gastrointestinal symptoms were recruited. Factor analysis was used to identify symptom clusters of the patients with FGIDs. Results: Among 274 patients, 207 patients (75.5%) had FGIDs. Thirty-nine of the 207 patients (18.8%) without organic diseases did not fulfill symptom duration defined by Rome II criteria, and other 168 patients (81.2%) satisfied the Rome II criteria. Factor analysis of symptoms of 168 patients indicated the symptoms of FGIDs such as globus, functional heartburn, dysmotility-like dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, functional constipation, functional diarrhea, functional abdominal pain, functional fecal incontinence, and levator ani syndrome. Functional dysphagia and aerophagia could be regarded as one factor and functional vomiting and acid reflux could be merged as another factor. The proportions of patients suffering from functional esophageal, gastroduodenal, abdominal pain, bowel and anorectal disorders were 18.5%, 41.7%, 2.4%, 60.7% and 3.0%, respectively. Forty-one patients (24.4%) suffered from more than two symptoms of FGIDs, which belonged to the different anatomic region. Conclusions: The Rome II criteria could be applied to Korean patients with FGIDs.ope