Clinical manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease in medical university students

Introduction. Students are a risk group for the development of chronic diseases. Clinical manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease, as a chronic disease, are often masked by diseases of other organs, which complicates diagnosis and reduces the effectiveness of treatment. Aim. To identify clinical symptoms characteristic of gastroesophageal reflux disease among students of medical university and to propose a set of measures to prevent the identified disorders. Materials and methods. We conducted a survey of 120 students of the 3 rd year of medical university, including oral examination, original questionnaire and GerdQ questionnaire-questionnaire. Results. According to the questionnaire data, only 13.9% regularly eat 3–4 times a day, 56.4% have a diet consisting mainly of fast food. 22.2% of students smoke, alcohol is occasionally consumed by 70.8%. Constant stress is experienced by 47.2% of surveyed students. The examination revealed the following: pain at swallowing in 2.8%; feeling of a lump in the throat, attacks of nausea in 13.9%, heartburn in 3%, frequent belching in 9.7%, complaints of pain in the epigastric region in 18.1% of students. Chronic infections of the oral cavity and pharynx (laryngitis, pharyngitis) were registered in 11.1%, cough, hoarseness of voice in 5.6%, caries and changes in the oral mucosa were diagnosed in 4.2% of students. According to the analysis of the GerdQ questionnaire, the presence of 8 or more points was found in 13.3% of students who were recommended to undergo an in-depth examination by a gastroenterologist. Conclusion. Clinical manifestations characteristic of gastroesophageal reflux disease were revealed in the examined students. A comprehensive approach to diagnosis, proposed measures aimed at correcting risk factors, conducting educational and preventive activities will help to reduce the prevalence of the disease and improve the quality of life of young people.