The study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in a community-based population of adolescents. All students in grades 9-11 of four randomly chosen schools in one of the typical districts of Novosibirsk were invited to participate. A total of 449 students participated (189 boys, 260 girls aged 14-17), all of them completed the Russian version of the Bowel Disease Questionnaire. Dyspepsia was reported more frequently by girls than boys (27% vs 16%). The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome defined according to the Rome criteria was 24% in girls and 14% in boys. Among students with dyspepsia, 49% had sought medical advice, and 37% had undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or X-ray series, for IBS the corresponding figures were 49% and 24%. School absenteeism was reported by 57% of dyspepsia sufferers, and by 62% of subjects with IBS. In conclusion, dyspepsia and IBS are common among adolescents of Novosibirsk with prevalence rates similar to those described in adults in Western Europe and the USA. These disorders are associated with significant disability and health care costs.