Burden, clinical aspects and correlates of dyspepsia among the population in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Dyspepsia is a common medical disorder affecting the gastrointestinal system. It is common among the population, and contributes to a considerable impairment in quality of life by affecting the person’s social and emotional functioning. Objectives: To study the magnitude, clinical aspects and correlates of dyspepsia among the population in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Method: This was a cross sectional study; the non-probability convenient sampling method was used to collect data on 248 subjects from 5 May 2021 to 26 August 2022 via online-Google form questionnaire on the population in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This questionnaire provided information on personal, sociodemographic characteristics, clinical aspects and eating habits. In addition, the Rome IV criteria for classifying functional GI disorders, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) questionnaires were used. Statistical analysis: data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. The Chi square test of significance was used. The level of significance was 0.05. Results: Dyspepsia was encountered among 40% of the subjects. The majority of them had dyspepsia of the functional type. Early satiation, upper abdominal pain, nausea, constipation and diarrhea were the significant symptoms associated with dyspepsia. The significant correlates of dyspepsia wereusing Aspirin and pain killers, eating heavy meals, particularly at night, and family history of dyspepsia. Also not drinking plenty of water and not eating vegetable and fruits were significant determinants of dyspepsia. Dyspepsia was significantly associated with increased score for anxiety (p <0.05), and was significantly associated with extremely severe depression (p <0.05). Conclusion: Dyspepsia is a common gastrointestinal disorder among the population. It is associated with several gastrointestinal symptoms. Family history of dyspepsia, and dietary habits and intake of certain drugs were significant determinants of dyspepsia. It is significantly associated with impairment of the emotional state of the subjects. These findings may help the health care planners to consider these points when developing health education programs to combat dyspepsia among the general population. Keywords: Dyspepsia, Jeddah, anxiety and depression, dietary habits