Pictograms are more effective than verbal descriptors in Spanish for bloating and distension.

Background: There is no translation for bloating in Spanish, and distension is very technical.

Aims: To evaluate pictograms for assessing bloating/distension in patients with general gastroenterology (Study 1, n = 88) and in those with irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] (Study 2: n = 144), and to correlate them with verbal descriptors (VDs) and physician's diagnosis (PDx).

Methods: Patients answered the Rome III Questionnaire with VDs and pictograms, and were consulted by two gastroenterology fellows (PDx).