Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Chronic diarrhea epidemiology and demographics
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The prevalence of chronic diarrhea is estimated to be about 300-500 per 100,000 persons. In any given year, about 3–5% of the population has diarrhea lasting more than 1 month.
Prevalence
Prevalence
In developed countries, the prevalence of chronic diarrhea is estimated to be about 300-500 per 100,000 persons.[1][2][3]
For details about prevalence, incidence, age, and sex distribution of some of the causes of chronic diarrhea, click the links below:
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Lactose intolerance
- Endocrine disorders such as hyperthyroidism
- Neuroendocrine tumors such as VIPoma
- Celiac disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Giardiasis
- Tropical sprue
- Diverticulitis
- Clostridium difficile infection
- Ulcerating viral infections such as cytomegalovirus infection
- Invasive bacterial infections such as tuberculosis
- Neoplasias such as colorectal carcinoma
References
References
- ↑ Talley NJ, O’Keefe EA, Zinsmeister AR, Melton LJ (1992). “Prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in the elderly: a population-based study”. Gastroenterology. 102 (3): 895–901. PMID 1537525.
- ↑ Talley NJ, Zinsmeister AR, Van Dyke C, Melton LJ (1991). “Epidemiology of colonic symptoms and the irritable bowel syndrome”. Gastroenterology. 101 (4): 927–34. PMID 1889716.
- ↑ Sandler RS, Stewart WF, Liberman JN, Ricci JA, Zorich NL (2000). “Abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea in the United States: prevalence and impact”. Dig Dis Sci. 45 (6): 1166–71. PMID 10877233.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Omodamola Aje B.Sc, M.D. [2]