Evidence-Based Medicine Approach to Abdominal Pain

Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2016 May;34(2):165-90. doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2015.12.008.

Abstract

The chief complaint of abdominal pain accounts for 5% to 10% of all presentations in the emergency department. With such broad differential and diagnostic modalities available, this article focuses on a systematic approach to evaluating abdominal pain, essential to providing patients with efficient and accurate care.

Keywords: Abdomen; Abdominal pain; Approach to abdominal pain; EBM approach; Evidence-based medicine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / diagnosis*
  • Abdominal Pain / drug therapy
  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Acute Disease
  • Analgesics / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Evidence-Based Medicine / methods*
  • Humans
  • Medical History Taking / methods
  • Physical Examination / methods
  • Point-of-Care Systems

Substances

  • Analgesics