How healthy is “healthy”? The Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) and the “Screening Instrument for Somatoform Disorders” (SOMS) in a Non-Patient Self-Identified Healthy Cohort

Author(s): Frauke Musial, Karl-Hermann Fuchs, Ernst Eypasch, and Alexander Meining

The Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) is a widely used tool for assessing quality of life (QoL) in patients with gastrointestinal diseases. However, normative data from non-patient populations remain limited, particularly regarding the influence of factors such as age, gender, and somatization. This study aimed to provide normative GIQLI data from a large sample of self-identified healthy individuals and explore the impact of somatization on the GIQLI outcomes. A total of 259 participants from two German villages completed the GIQLI and the Screening Instrument for Psychosomatic Disorders (SOMS). Results showed a mean GIQLI score of 121.22, consistent with previously reported values for healthy populations. GIQLI scores were stable across age groups and genders, with slight declines observed in older participants. Notably, 6.95% of participants exhibited a high symptom burden (SSI > 17), despite selfidentifying as healthy, and demonstrated significantly lower GIQLI scores. These findings highlight the importance of accounting for baseline symptom levels in non-patient populations when interpreting QoL data. The study provides a robust dataset for future comparisons with clinical populations and underscores the interconnected nature of GIQLI dimensions. This expanded normative database enhances the utility of GIQLI in patientcentered decision-making and QoL assessments.