The vast majority of adults experience gas-related gastrointestinal symptoms on a daily basis, which leads to reduced quality of life and psychological distress, a three-country survey finds.

On average, respondents reported having three different gas symptoms within the previous 24-hour period, according to findings presented at the United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week Virtual 2021 conference.

Lead author Dr Olafur Palsson (PhD) of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the US said it was striking that all seven symptoms canvassed were “quite prevalent” in the 24-hour period. 

“I think the most remarkable and surprising finding in our study is that almost all adults in the general population experience some daily gas-related symptoms,” he said.