Epidemiology and risk factors of uninvestigated dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease among students of Damascus University, Syria

Abstract

Uninvestigated dyspepsia (UD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are common disorders universally. Many studies have assessed their epidemiological characteristics around the world. However, such information is not known for Syria. We aim to estimate the epidemiologic characteristics and possible risk factors for UD, IBS, and GERD among students at Damascus University, Damascus, Syria. A cross-sectional study was conducted in July-September 2015 at a campus of Damascus University. A total of 320 students were randomly asked to complete the survey. We used ROME III criteria to define UD and IBS, and Montreal definition for GERD. In total, 302 valid participants were included in the analysis. Prevalence for UD, IBS, and GERD was 25%, 17%, and 16%, respectively. Symptom overlap was present in 46 students (15%), with UD+IBS in 28 (9.3%), UD+GERD in 26 (8.6%), and IBS+GERD in 14 (4.6%) students. Eleven (3.6%) students had symptoms of UD+IBS+GERD. Each of these overlaps occurred more frequently than expected by chance. Significant risk factors included cigarettes smoking, waterpipe consumption, and body mass index <18.5kg/m for UD; female gender and three cups of coffee/d for IBS; and two cups of tea and one to five cigarettes/d for GERD. Risk factors for these disorders remain poorly characterized and need further investigations.

Physical activity in relation to irritable bowel syndrome among Iranian adults

“…The prevalence of IBS in the current study is in line with earlier reports from Asian countries [ 21 , 22 ]; however, it is much higher than global prevalence due to the use of a modified Rome III criteria rather than a clinical assessment for identification of IBS [ 23 ]. IBS is associated with several disabilities and significant incurred costs.…”

Healthy lifestyle score and irritable bowel syndrome: A cross‐sectional study in adults

“…We found no association between smoking habits and risk of IBS, in line with a recent systematic review, but in contrast with other cross‐sectional studies . The lack of significant associations between healthy lifestyle factors, including dietary intakes, physical activity, and smoking, with IBS might be due to the use of binary variables to quantify these factors in our study.…”

Dietary habits and obesity indices in patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease: a comparative cross-sectional study

“…Up to now, results on diet-GERD relationship are inconsistent among various studies. Several studies reported that consumption of caffeinated beverages (coffee and tea), carbonated drinks, citrus fruit, chocolate, spicy foods, and large-volume meals, were related to higher risk of GERD or triggering symptoms [ 8 , 9 , 27 – 29 ]. It is proposed that these foods can decrease LES pressure and/or slow gastric emptying which may result in development of GERD symptoms [ 27 ].…”

“…It should be noted that in this study, the amount of the liquid intake was not recorded. Some studies have shown that intake of large volumes of liquid may be associated with GERD development or disease severity [ 8 , 28 ]. Moreover, it is proposed that this association may vary, depending on whether or not the liquid is consumed with meals.…”

“…Current guidelines recommend that reflux-triggering foods such as coffee, chocolate, spicy foods, and citrus fruit should not be routinely eliminated in management of GERD [ 7 ]. However, some studies revealed that specific dietary choices were related to higher risk of GERD development or the severity of the disease [ 8 , 9 ]. In recent years, increased awareness of the side effects of medication on the general population shifted attention gradually, from pharmacological therapies to dietary modifications as the first-line management for GERD [ 10 , 11 ].…”