- History of a similar problem .
- Pancreatitis, bleeding peptic ulcer or inflammatory bowel disease.
- Coexisting peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, heart failure or atrial fibrillation may suggest aortic aneurysm or mesenteric ischaemia.
- Primary biliary cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis are associated with thyroid disease,
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with diabetes and obesity.
- Ask about previous abdominal surgery.