Disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBI) are highly prevalent chronic gastrointestinal symptoms that are categorised into 33 disorders delineated by gastrointestinal anatomic region. 1 DGBI can occur in isolation, but frequently are present in combinations that affect multiple anatomic regions. The coexistence of multiple DBGI in an individual, termed overlap, has been linked to worse disease severity and quality of life. 2 However, the actual prevalence of DGBI overlap and associated features have remained unknown until Thomas Fairlie and colleagues 3 conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the topic. Among 46 studies including 75 682 adults with DGBI, the authors found that over a third (n=24 424, pooled prevalence 36·5% [95% CI 30·7–42·6]) had DBGI overlap. 3 Overlap occurred more frequently in participants recruited from tertiary health-care settings, suggesting worse gastrointestinal symptoms, and was associated with increased psychological symptom severity and lower quality of life scores.
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