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Authors:
Narjis Zahra,¹ Zoya Nawazish,² Raja Faizan Younis,³ Muhammad Ali Abbas,⁴ Osama Bin Hamid,⁵ Wajiha Mah Jabeen^6*

¹House Officer, Department of General Surgery, HITEC-IMS, Taxila, Punjab, Pakistan
²House Officer, Department of General Medicine, National Engineering and Scientific Commission, Islamabad, Pakistan
³House Officer, Department of General Surgery, HITEC-IMS, Taxila, Punjab, Pakistan
⁴House Officer, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan
⁵House Officer, Department of ENT, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan
⁶Professor, Department of Pathology, HITEC-IMS, Taxila, Punjab, Pakistan

Revisions:
Received: October 21, 2024 Revised: December 24, 2024 Accepted: January 04, 2025 Published: June 07, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.70394/jhbsmdc.v5.i1.85
Correspondence: Wajiha Mah Jabeen
Email: doctor_wajeeha@yahoo.com

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of gastro-esophageal reflux disease among medical students and find out the associated risk factors that can impact their physical and emotional well-being.
Study design: This is a descriptive case series study.
Study place and duration: This study was conducted on medical students from the first year to the final year of MBBS at HITEC Institute of Medical Sciences from June 2023 to April 2024.
Methodology: In this study, medical students from first year to final year at HITEC Institute of Medical Sciences (HITEC-IMS), Taxila Cantt, were included. The sample size was determined using the OpenEpi online sample size calculator (https://www.openepi.com/), which yielded a required minimum sample of 275 participants. Data was collected using the standardized GerdQ Questionnaire, which assesses symptoms suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Participants were categorized as GERD-positive if they obtained a GerdQ score of 8 or higher.
Results: Out of the total 275 medical students, the prevalence of GERD was 25.09%. The proportion of 4th year students age group 21-22 years was found to be significantly high (p=0.05). Notably, 45 (65.2%) participants with GERD had a positive family history of the condition, and 54 (78.3%) participants were engaged in physical activity after meals, which was significantly associated with GERD (p= 0.001). In the GERD group, the majority, n=34 (63%), were significantly engaged in brisk walking. The GERD group was found to significantly consume 33(47.8%) fast or spicy foods >3 times/week, skip breakfast, and eat snacks at night (66.7, 69.6, 60.9%, respectively). Additionally, the majority (87%) were significantly (p=0.001) using NSAIDs >2 days/week during the last 3 months.
Conclusion: Medical students are more prone to developing GERD due to their stressful lifestyle, which is often a result of their academic schedule. The study identified several significant risk factors for GERD, including Age, family history, exercise routine, type of exercise, dietary habits, including eating spicy/fried food, skipping breakfast, and eating snacks at night, and excessive use of NSAIDS.
Keywords: Gastroesophageal Reflux, Prevalence, Risk Factors, Medical Students

Conflict of Interest: None
Funding Source: None

How to cite: Zahra N, Nawazish Z, Younis RF, Abbas MA, Hamid OB, Jabeen WM. Prevalence of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease and its Associated Risk Factors Among Medical Students of HITEC-IMS. J. HBS M&DC. 2025;5(1):11-17.

References