Routine assessment of gastrointestinal symptom using a validated questionnaire in the clinical setting to assess the probability of organic or functional gastrointestinal diseases

Abstract

Patients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms can be challenging in terms of determining etiology and management strategies. Identifying likely organic pathology is important since it can be treated and may result in further, long-term harm to the patient if not treated. Currently, organic pathology is often identified via invasive procedures such as endoscopy or referral to a medical imaging service. We report on an approach that offers a first step at identifying patients with an organic gastrointestinal disease based on the SAGIS, a validated symptom questionnaire.