Risk Factors Associated with Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease

Abstract

Objective: To study the risk factors associated with Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), in a tertiary care Hospital of Karachi.

Study Design: Prospective, cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi from February 2009 to March 2010.

Materials and Methods: Attendants of patients sitting in the waiting area with no comorbid, and who were non-smoker and non-alcoholic were recruited after taking informed consent. Data was entered in given performa. Logistic regression was applied with 95% confidence interval.

Results: Total 2191 participants were included in our study. 1130 patients (51.6%) were males and 1061 (48.4%) were females, with mean age of 33.92+12.36 years. GERD symptoms were present in 760 patients (34.7%). GERD symptoms were common in patients taking spicy meals ( 37.2%) and in urdu speaking ethnic group  (52.5%). In  those who had a high  waist hip ratio, 0.9 +-0.15 waist height ratio 0.52+-0.07 and waist circumference ratio  84.57+-10.92.

Conclusion: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is common in our population and there is significant inverse association of GERD with Waist hip ratio and waist height ratio.