Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: An Anthropological Perspective

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Pediatric Neurogastroenterology

Part of the book series: Clinical Gastroenterology ((CG))

Abstract

This chapter suggests a number of ways that anthropology can contribute to the study of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), in a spirit of interdisciplinary cooperation. FGIDs are a complex clinical entity, involving a number of possible signs (e.g., constipation, abdominal pain, nausea), as well as a variety of care strategies, ranging from occasional rest to sustained medical follow-up, against a backdrop of diagnostic and therapeutic uncertainty. In this chapter, we focus on the originality of what an anthropological approach and method has to offer for the understanding of FGIDs, opening up avenues of research, such as expert and lay explanations of disorders, family dynamics in a context of illness, use of medical services, and relationships of care. Grounded in the narratives of the people affected by FGIDs (patients, families, professionals) in a context of urban diversity, anthropology seeks to produce knowledge that is sensitive and appropriate to contemporary settings of life and practice. It provides an opportunity to share thoughts with clinicians about the complexity of clinical processes that incorporate the biological, cultural, and social dimensions of these disorders, which affect many children and adults.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 249.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    The generally accepted hypothesis to explain the pain is that there is a combination of sensory and motor activity along the brain–gut axis. It appears that the information we receive from the outside through our senses and perceptions (emotions, thoughts, smells, sights), by the nature of the neural connections in the higher centers, can affect gastrointestinal sensations, motility, hormone secretion, and inflammation [8]. This physiological action seems to have a variable influence on the endocrine system, immune function, and human behavior.

References

  1. Birtwhistle R. Irritable bowel syndrome: are complementary and alternative medicine treatments useful? Can Fam Physician. 2009;55:126–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Ramchandani P, Stein A, Wiles N, et al. The impact of recurrent abdominal pain: predictors of outcome in a large population cohort. Acta Paediatr. 2007;96:697–701.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Danivat D, Tankeyoon M, Sriratanaban A. Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in a non-Western population. BMJ. 1988;296:263–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Walker A, Segal I. Epidemiology of noninfective intestinal diseases in various ethnic groups in South Africa. Isr J Med Sci. 1979;154:309–33.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Okeke EN, Agaba EI, Gwamzhi L, Achinge GI, Angbazo D, Malu AO. Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in a Nigerian student population. Afr J Med Sci. 2005;34:33–6.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Olubuyide IO, Olawuyi F, Fasanmade AA. A study of irritable bowel syndrome diagnosed by Manning criteria in an African population. Dig Dis Sci. 1995;40:983–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Lule GN, Amayo E. Irritable bowel syndrome in Kenyans. East Afr Med J. 2002;79:360–3.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Soubeyrand J, Condat JM, Leleu JP, Ticolat R, Niamkey E, Beda BY. Functional colonic pathology in the Ivory Coast. Sem Hop. 1983;59:247–51.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Quigley E, Gwee KA, Olano C, et al. Irritable bowel syndrome: a global perspective. Global guideline. Munich: World Gastroenterology Organisation; 2009, p. 20

    Google Scholar 

  10. Heizer WD, McGovern S. The role of diet in symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in adults: a narrative review. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009;109:1204–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Zuckerman MJ, Drossman DA, Foland JA, et al. Comparison of bowel patterns in Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. Dig Dis Sci. 1995;40:1763–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Barakzai MD, Fraser D. The effect of culture on symptom reporting: Hispanics and irritable bowel syndrome. J Am Acad Nurse Pract. 2007;19:261–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Gwee KA, Ghoshal UC. Epidemiology of irritable bowel syndrome in Asia: something old, something new, something borrowed. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009;24:1601–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Landau DA, Levy Y, Bar-Dayan Y. The prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases in Israeli adolescents and its association with body mass index, gender and Jewish ethnicity. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2008;42:903–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Lu CL, Chen CY, Luo JC, et al. Significance of Rome II-defined functional constipation in Taiwan and comparison with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2006;24:429–38.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Wigington WC, Johnson WD, Minocha A. Epidemiology of irritable bowel syndrome among African Americans as compared with whites: a population-based study. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005;3:647–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Baretic M, Jurcic D, Mihanovic M, et al. Epidemiology of irritable bowel syndrome in Croatia. Coll Antropol. 2002;26(Suppl):85–91.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Heitkemper M. Irritable bowel syndrome: does gender matter? J Psychosom Res. 2008;64:583–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Shen Y, Nahas R. Complementary and alternative medicine for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Can Fam Physician. 2009;55:143–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Howell S, Talley N, Quine S, et al. The irritable bowel syndrome has origins in the childhood socioeconomic environment. Am J Gastroenterol. 2004;99:1572–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Rosh J. Recurrent abdominal pain and the pediatric gastroenterologist: how are we functioning? J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2010;50:6–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Kirmayer L, Young A, Robbins J. Symptom attribution in cultural perspective. Can J Psychiatry. 1994;39:584–95.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Kleinman A. The illness narratives: suffering, healing and the human condition. New York: Basic; 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Scheper-Hughes N, Lock M. The mindful body: a prolegomenon to future work in medical anthropology. Med Anthropol Q. 1987;1:6–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Kleinman A, Seeman D, Albrecht G, Fitzpatrick, Ray, editors. Handbook of social studies in health and medicine. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 2000. p. xxvii.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Gomez L. Les maux de ventre des enfants haïtiens de Montréal: entre la recomposition culturelle et la souffrance familiale. Université de Montréal; 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Fassin D. Entre politiques du vivant et politiques de la vie. Anthropol Soc. 2000;24:95–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Fortin S, Faure C, Bibeau G, Rasquin, A. Facteurs socioculturels de protection et de vulnérabilité dans l’apparition et l’évolution des troubles fonctionnels de l’intestin: les perspectives des enfants et de leur famille et leurs recours aux services. Fonds de recherche en santé du Québec; 2009–2011.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Corin E, Bibeau G. Articulation et variation des systèmes de signes, de sens et d’action. Psychopathol Afr. 1992;24:183–204.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Glaser B, Strauss A. The discovery of grounded theory: strategies for qualitative research. Chicago: Aldine; 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Melia K. Recognizing quality in qualitative research. In: Bourgeault I, Dingwall R, De Vries R, editors. Sage handbook of qualitative methods in health research. Los Angeles: Sage; 2010. p. 559–74.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Waissman R. Book review. Cook J, Dommergues J-P. L’enfant malade et le monde médical: dialogue entre familles et soignants. Sci Soc Santé. 1993;13:137–9.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Crushell E, Doherty M, Gormally S, et al. Importance of parental conceptual model of illness in severe recurrent abdominal pain. Pediatrics. 2003;112:1368–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Kleinman A. Patients and healers in the context of culture: an exploration of culture. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press; 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Gauthier A, Fortin S, Gomez L, Bibeau G, Rasquin A, Faure C, et al. Pathways to care in FGIDs: the issues, diversity and equality in health and care. (under review).

    Google Scholar 

  36. Longstreth GF, Yao JF. Irritable bowel syndrome and surgery: a multivariable analysis. Gastroenterology. 2004;126:1665–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Masters K. Recurrent abdominal pain, medical intervention, and biofeedback: what happened to the biopsychosocial model? Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2006;31:155–65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Talley N. Unnecessary abdominal and back surgery in irritable bowel syndrome: time to stem the flood now? Gastroenterology. 2004;126:1899–903.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Wilson S, Roberts L, Roalfe A, Bridge P. Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome: a community survey. Br J Gen Pract. 2004;54:495–502.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Fortin S. The paediatric clinic as negotiated social space. Anthropol Med. 2008;15:175–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Gauthier A, Bibeau G, Alvarez F. Créer des espaces de négociation entre famille et équipe soignante lors de traitements de pointe en pédiatrie: illustrations et réflexions. Intervention. 2008;129:58–68.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Gauthier A, Corin E, Rousseau C. À la croisée des récits: explorer la rencontre clinique en début de psychose. L’Évol Psychiat. 2008;73:639–54.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Drossman DA, Sandler RS, McKee DC, Lovitz AJ. Bowel patterns among subjects not seeking health care: use of a questionnaire to identify a population with bowel dysfunction. Gastroenterology. 1982;83:529–34.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Hungin A, Whorwell PJ, Tack J, Mearin F. The prevalence, patterns and impact of irritable bowel syndrome: an international survey of 40,000 subjects. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2003;17:643–50.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Nurko S. The tip of the iceberg: the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal diseases in children. J Pediatr. 2009;154:313–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Thompson W, Heaton KW. Functional bowel disorders in apparently healthy people. Gastroenterology. 1980;79:283–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Anthropology Department, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3C3J7

    Sylvie Fortin Ph.D.

  2. Research Center, Sainte-Justine University Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Liliana Gomez M.Sc

  3. Research Center, Sainte-Justine University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Annie Gauthier Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Sylvie Fortin Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Liliana Gomez M.Sc
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Annie Gauthier Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sylvie Fortin Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sainte-Justine Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, H3T 1C5, Québec, Canada

    Christophe Faure

  2. Nationwide Children's Hospital, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, 43205, Ohio, USA

    Carlo Di Lorenzo

  3. Gastroenterology and Neural Development, University College London, Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom

    Nikhil Thapar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Fortin, S., Gomez, L., Gauthier, A. (2013). Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: An Anthropological Perspective. In: Faure, C., Di Lorenzo, C., Thapar, N. (eds) Pediatric Neurogastroenterology. Clinical Gastroenterology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-709-9_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-709-9_7

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60761-708-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60761-709-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation