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Abstract
BackgroundGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common upper gastrointestinal disorder characterized by heartburn and acid regurgitation. A higher incidence is found in Arab countries. Untreated GERD has a negative impact on individuals that interfere with daily activities and impaired quality of life. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of GERD and associated risk factors in the Eastern region, Saudi Arabia.Material & MethodologyA descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 1517 healthy participants from the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia from May to August 2021. The sample was randomly collected through a structured self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was composed of questions related to sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics as risk factors for GERD. The existence of GERD was assessed by using GERD Questionnaire (GerdQ) for diagnosing GERD, when the score is 8 or more.ResultsA total of 1517 participants were included in the study: 58.8% male, 41.2% female; 9% of whom were pregnant. The age of participants ranged from 18 to 58 with a mean age of 27.5 ± 11.4 years old. The existence of GERD was 20.6% among the total participants, in which their GerdQ scores were 3-7 (68.9%), 8-10 (22.1%), and 8-11 (8.5%). The higher risk groups of having GERD were pregnant women, smoker, being male, regular usage of analgesia, soft drinks, and having a family history of GERD.ConclusionThis study showed the prevalence of GERD among the general population of the Eastern region, Saudi Arabia was 20.6%. Several sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics were associated with the disease. Further studies are needed to explore the role of psychological factors in developing GERD.
Highlights
One of the normal physiologies of the gastrointestinal tract is a backflow of gastric contents from the stomach to the esophagus
This study showed the prevalence of Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) among the general population of the Eastern region, Saudi Arabia was 20.6%
This study aims to estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of GERD among the general population in the Eastern region, Saudi Arabia
Summary
One of the normal physiologies of the gastrointestinal tract is a backflow of gastric contents from the stomach to the esophagus When this process causes burning feeling in the retrosternal area due to an injury on esophagus mucosa at least once per week this is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) [1]. Depending on a recent systematic review for GERD management, one of the most important management is lifestyle modification like decreasing weight, smoking cessation, and avoid heavy meals at night [4]. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of GERD and associated risk factors in the Eastern region, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was composed of questions related to sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics as risk factors for GERD. The existence of GERD was assessed by using GERD Questionnaire (GerdQ) for diagnosing GERD, when the score is 8 or more
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