Symptoms of mast cell activation syndrome in functional gastrointestinal disorders

Objectives: Mast cell involvement is evident in functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). FGID and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) are associated with multi-organ symptoms. An overlap has not been assessed. Methods: MCAS symptoms were determined by questionnaires in 2083 FGID patients. Results: The median number of MCAS symptoms ([IQR] (range 0-16)) was 6 [4-8] in all FGID, and in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients, 7 [5-9] in overlapping irritable bowel syndrome and FD (IBS+FD), 5 [3-8] in IBS and 5 [3-6] in non-IBS/non-FD (p < .001 vs. FD and IBS + FD) patients. MCAS symptoms in >= 2 organ-systems existed in 1773 (85%) of all patients. Conclusions: MCAS symptoms are common in FGID warranting further mechanistic investigation.