Epidemiology and Impact of Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction in Multiethnic Malaysia: An In-Depth Analysis of Local Data From the Rome Foundation Global Epidemiology Study

Simadibrata DM 1 , Lesmana E 2 , Koo TH 3 , Yadav H 4 , Chong KM 5 , Musa KI 3 Show all authors , Cheng KY 3 , Tagiling N 3 , Mokhtar NM 6 , Hamid NA 3 , Abdullah N 7 , Mokhtar MH 6 , Wahab NA 6 , Danpanichkul P 8 , Chong YY 5 , Wong Z 9 , Sperber A 10 , Bangdiwala SI 11 , Palsson OS 12 , Lee YY 3

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
  • 2 Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • 3 School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Malaysia
  • 4 Department of Community Medicine, Mahsa University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 5 Klinik Chong, Slim River, Malaysia
  • 6 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 7 Gut Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 8 Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
  • 9 Pantai Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 10 Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
  • 11 Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
  • 12 Center for Functional GI & Motility Disorders, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2025 Apr 02.
PMID: 40172151 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.16953

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Previous epidemiology studies from Malaysia on disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) have utilized variable criteria. Furthermore, the impact of DGBI on quality of life (QoL), healthcare utilization, diet, work productivity, and sleep in a multiethnic Asian setting like Malaysia remains underexplored. Here, we aimed to determine the epidemiology and impact of DGBI among multiethnic Malaysians based on the Rome IV criteria.

METHODS: 2072 Malaysian participants from the Rome Foundation Global Epidemiology Study (RFGES) with complete data on DGBI were included in the in-depth analysis. We assessed the prevalence of DGBI diagnoses, psychological distress, QoL, healthcare utilization, dietary patterns, impact on sleep, work productivity, and activity impairment.

RESULTS: The overall prevalence of any DGBI in Malaysia was 19.3% (95% CI 17.6%-21.0%). The top three most prevalent DGBI diagnoses were functional constipation (5.1%; 95% CI 4.2%-6.1%), functional dyspepsia (3.4%; 95% CI 2.7%-4.3%), and functional diarrhea (1.6%; 95% CI 1.1%-2.2%). Participants with DGBI reported higher levels of psychological distress (somatization, anxiety, and depression), significantly higher healthcare utilization, and dietary change (low FODMAPs but higher Mediterranean-based diet and probiotics). Furthermore, there was greater daytime sleepiness and higher proportions of presenteeism, overall work impairment, and activity impairment in individuals with DGBI.

CONCLUSION: The disease burden of DGBI is significant in Malaysia, with increased psychological distress, healthcare utilization, dietary change, greater daytime sleepiness, and greater overall work and activity impairment.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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