Prevalence and Risk Factors of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders that has substantial health and economic consequences. Several modifiable risk factors are associated with GERD, hence we conducted the present study to assess the prevalence and risk factors of GERD in a previously understudied population of southwestern Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out to calculate the prevalence of GERD and assess its risk factors. A structured self-administered questionnaire was distributed on a random sample of 853 participants from Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire consisted of questions on the participants' sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics. The presence of GERD was detected using the GERD questionnaire (GerdQ). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test, with a significance level of P < 0.05 or P < 0.01. Results The study included 853 participants; 69.1% males and 30.9% females. The proportion of participants who scored >8 on the GerdQ (had GERD) was 32.2%. GERD was associated with age (P < 0.01), marital status (P < 0.01), employment status (P < 0.01), fast food intake (P < 0.01), analgesics use (P < 0.01), and smoking (P < 0.01). GERD was more common among Khat chewers compared to non-Khat chewers (P < 0.05) and showed a significant association with the frequency of Khat use. Conclusion The results show a high prevalence of GERD in the general population of Southwestern Saudi Arabia. Several sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics were associated with the disease.

Prevalence and Determinants of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and the Risk Factors Among Adult Patients Attending Al-Iskan Primary Health Care Center in Makkah, 2020

“…Furthermore, we found significance between the GERD and non-GERD groups in terms of marital status (P = 0.015), mainly between the divorced and single patients (P = 0.006), which indicated the fact that emotional disturbances can be a risk factor that may subsequently lead to developing the disorder [19]. These results were consistent with the results of previously published investigations [8,9]. Even though the presented percentage of males and females in our study was not representative of the population, it followed a similarity when compared to major studies with no significance found in terms of gender [8,9,18].…”

“…These results were consistent with the results of previously published investigations [8,9]. Even though the presented percentage of males and females in our study was not representative of the population, it followed a similarity when compared to major studies with no significance found in terms of gender [8,9,18]. However, Alrashed et al [11] indicated that the male population was at higher risk for developing GERD and supported their results through a report in India that revealed similar findings [13].…”

“…In terms of habitual risk factors, no significance was found in terms of being overweight or obese which was consistent with the results by Kariri et al [8] who also reported no significance. On the other hand, Alkhathami et al [20] in their study identified obesity as a risk factor for having GERD.…”

“…According to the analysis of the GerdQ questionnaire results, the GERD frequency rate was 17.4% among the participants. Our results were lower than those reported by Alrashed et al [13], Alsuwat et al [9], and Kariri et al [8] who reported a higher prevalence rate of 23.8%, 28.7%, and 32.2%, respectively, in their Saudi populations. Moreover, much higher incidence rates were also recorded as Alsulobi et al recorded a rate of up to 61.8%.…”

“…As far as we know, a few published investigations have estimated the ascendence of GERD in Saudi populations. In the southwestern region, Kariri et al [8] reported a prevalence rate of 32.2% based on GERD questionnaire (GerdQ) scores, and in 2016, Alsuwat et al [9] reported a rate of 28.7% in the general Saudi population. Therefore, due to a few studies that reported the prevalence rate of GERD in Saudi Arabia and the probability of possible variations as reported in other countries, we aim to investigate the frequency rate and associated factors in Makkah Almukarramah in the west of Saudi Arabia.…”