OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and health care seeking behavior of patients with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms using American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) questionnaire for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from April 2002 to November 2003. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 1267 persons above 15 years of age were interviewed using a modified questionnaire for GERD from the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), which previously validated in our section as a screening tool in an urban population in Pakistan. RESULTS: Nine hundred and sixty-three individuals responded to the questionnaire. Mean age of the surveyed sample was 24+/-9.3 years. Using the ACG criteria, the overall frequency of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms was 24% (228/963) with 58% (133/228) males and 42% (95/228) females. Symptoms experienced frequently were reflux from the stomach, 58% (133/228), with a bitter, acid taste in the mouth. Seventy-four percent (169/228) experienced this postprandially. Symptoms were associated with spicy fried food in 71% (161/228). Sixty-seven percent (152/228) did not seek health care advice, 32% (74/228) practiced self-medications and 33% (76/228) consulted a physician. CONCLUSION: Gastroesophageal reflux is a common problem in the urban population of Pakistan.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and health care seeking behavior of patients with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms using American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) questionnaire for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from April 2002 to November 2003. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 1267 persons above 15 years of age were interviewed using a modified questionnaire for GERD from the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), which previously validated in our section as a screening tool in an urban population in Pakistan. RESULTS: Nine hundred and sixty-three individuals responded to the questionnaire. Mean age of the surveyed sample was 24+/-9.3 years. Using the ACG criteria, the overall frequency of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms was 24% (228/963) with 58% (133/228) males and 42% (95/228) females. Symptoms experienced frequently were reflux from the stomach, 58% (133/228), with a bitter, acid taste in the mouth. Seventy-four percent (169/228) experienced this postprandially. Symptoms were associated with spicy fried food in 71% (161/228). Sixty-seven percent (152/228) did not seek health care advice, 32% (74/228) practiced self-medications and 33% (76/228) consulted a physician. CONCLUSION: Gastroesophageal reflux is a common problem in the urban population of Pakistan.
Authors: Shamail Zafar; Israr U Haque; Ghias U N Tayyab; Ameed U Rehman; Adeel U Rehman; Nusrat U Chaudhry Journal: Saudi J Gastroenterol Date: 2008-04 Impact factor: 2.485
Authors: Muhannad M Alharthi; Meshari H Altowairqi; Sultan S Alamri; Hosam T Mashrah; Mazen A Almalki; Eidha Fawzan Eidha Aljuaid Journal: J Family Med Prim Care Date: 2020-03-26