Table 2.
Descriptive characteristics of psychometric testing sample: GP vs. GI patients
| Variable | GP (n=1177) | Patients (n=865) |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 46 (s.d.=16) | 48 (s.d.=16) |
| % Male* | 43% | 42% |
| % White* | 72% | 52% |
| % Black* | 12% | 17% |
| % Latino | 12% | 15% |
| % Asian* | 3% | 10% |
| % Other | 2% | 6% |
| % Less than HS | 5% | 2% |
| % HS grad* | 33% | 12% |
| % Some college | 27% | 29% |
| % College degree* | 36% | 58% |
| % Married | 45% | 44% |
| % Never married | 33% | 32% |
| % Widowed/divorced/separated | 22% | 25% |
| % Employed | 52% | 49% |
| % Unemployed* | 12% | 8% |
| % Retired | 15% | 17% |
| % Disabled* | 7% | 14% |
| Self-reported GI disorders | ||
| % IBS* | 11% | 40% |
| % GERD* | 16% | 33% |
| % IBD* | 4% | 28% |
| % Systemic sclerosis* | 1% | 18% |
| % Constipation* | 19% | 24% |
| % Other GI condition | 47% | 39% |
GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease; GI, gastrointestinal; GP, general population; HS grad, high school graduate; IBD, inflammatory bowel disease; IBS, irritable bowel syndrome.
*
P < 0.05 comparing GP vs. patient groups.
Note that patients could endorse more than one GI condition. The most common “other” GI conditions were: intestinal surgery (N=72), symptomatic diverticular disease (N=63), dyspepsia (N=52), fecal incontinence (N=44), pancreatitis (N=25), celiac disease (N=15), peptic ulcer (N=15), and gastroparesis (N=11).