A useful article (AF Peery et al. Gastroenterol 2015; 149: 1731-41) provides data on the huge impact that GI & Liver diseases have.

Here are some key findings:

Leading GI symptoms (Ambulatory visits) in 2010 (Table 1):

• Abdominal pain 27.1 million
• Diarrhea 5.6 million
• Vomiting 5.5 million
• Nausea 4.7 million
• Bleeding 3.6 million

Most Common Diagnosis from Hospital Admissions in 2012 (Table 5):

• GI hemorrhage 507,440 admissions
• Cholelithiasis with cholecystitis 389,180 admissions
• Acute pancreatitis 275,170 admissions
• Intestinal obstruction 256,775 admissions
• Appendicitis 248,080 admissions
• Chronic liver disease/viral hepatitis 243,170 admissions

Causes of Death in U.S. in 2012 (Table 7):

• Colorectal cancer 51,139
• Pancreatic cancer 38,797
• Liver/bile duct cancer 22,973
• Cirrhosis 17,495
• Alcoholic liver disease 17,419

Gastroenterology Cover