Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Pregnancy: The Influence of Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone and Modifiable Risk Factors

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms during pregnancy and identify hormonal, nutritional, and lifestyle factors contributing to their severity. Material and Methods: The study was conducted involving 612 pregnant women aged 20 to 40 years, with gestational ages between 5 and 36 weeks. Participants were categorized into three groups based on their trimester. GI symptoms were assessed using the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS). A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics, obstetric history, prior GI conditions, and lifestyle factors. Results: The study found that indigestion (77.6%, n=475), reflux (68.5%, n=419), and abdominal pain (69.9%, n=428) were the most common GI symptoms reported. While indigestion (78.4%, n=171) followed by nausea (76.1%, n=166) was the most common symptoms in the first trimester, abdominal pain (78.1%, n=171) and reflux (76.3%, n=167) were most frequent in the second trimester, In the third trimester, indigestion (81.1%, n=142) was again the most common symptom, followed by reflux (76.6%, n=134). High GSRS scores were found to be significantly associated with excessive tea consumption (OR: 4.22, 95% CI: 1.44-12.35, p<0.001), employment status (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.63-3.32, p<0.001), and TSH levels (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.13-1.41, p<0.001). Conclusion: GI symptoms are highly prevalent during pregnancy and are influenced by modifiable factors such as tea consumption, weight gain, and work-related stress. Monitoring thyroid function, managing weight, reducing tea intake, and addressing stress may help alleviate these symptoms, thereby improving the quality of life for pregnant women.