IDENTIFYING MODIFIABLE LIFESTYLE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH GERD SYMPTOMS IN PAKISTAN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a gastrointestinal condition that has become increasingly prevalent worldwide, including in Pakistan. The purpose of this study was to identify modifiable lifestyle factors that contribute to GERD symptoms in Pakistan and to understand how these factors influence the onset and progression of the disease. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 350 participants who were either diagnosed with or presented symptoms of GERD at the outpatient departments of gastroenterology and general medicine at Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College, Mirpur, AJK. Data on demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and GERD symptoms were collected. Information regarding meal frequency, physical activity, smoking habits, sleep patterns, and more was recorded. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the frequency of lifestyle factors, while Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression were employed to examine associations between lifestyle factors and GERD symptoms. Results: Among the 350 participants, poor gastrointestinal health particularly GERD was more prevalent in individuals with higher body weight, low physical activity, inadequate sleep, and poor eating habits. Specifically, both obesity severity and physical inactivity were significantly associated with GERD symptoms (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that being overweight or obese, engaging in less than 30 minutes of physical activity per day, and having poor sleep hygiene were significantly associated with increased odds of experiencing GERD (OR =3.52, OR =2.45, and OR =2.31, respectively). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that lifestyle modifications such as weight reduction, increased physical activity, and smoking cessation can significantly contribute to the improvement of GERD symptoms.