Associations between socio-demographic factors, social functioning, and sleep quality among GERD patients in Syria: a cross-sectional study

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a prevalent chronic digestive disorder that significantly affects patients’ quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the relationships among sociodemographic characteristics, social functioning, sleep quality, and symptom severity in patients with GERD. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 261 GERD patients in Syria, recruited via convenience sampling through social media platforms (Facebook, Telegram, WhatsApp) and hospital visits, with no geographic or institutional clustering, from August–October 2024. Participants were included if they had a physician-confirmed GERD diagnosis or an FSSG score ≥ 10. Participants completed a self-administered electronic questionnaire in Arabic, comprising validated scales: the Frequency Scale for GERD Symptoms (FSSG), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Social Functioning Questionnaire (SFQ). Statistical analyses were conducted via SPSS version 25, with t tests, ANOVA, Spearman’s correlation and logistic regression applied to assess relationships among variables. The study population had a mean age of 28.69 years (SD: ±10.62) and a mean BMI of 24.11 kg/m² (SD: ±5.11). Females comprised 69% of the sample. The prevalence of GERD was 90%, with a mean FSSG score of 22.31 (SD: ±10.05). Social challenges were significant (mean SFQ score: 9.25, SD: ±3.88), with 88% experiencing stress and 59% facing financial difficulties. The patients’ sleep quality was poor, with an average PSQI score of 7.93 (SD: ±3.42). Significant associations were found between financial status and both social (P < 0.001) and sleep quality scores (P = 0.030). Correlation analysis revealed significant positive relationships between FSSG scores and both PSQI (r = 0.286, P < 0.001) and SFQ scores (r = 0.336, P < 0.001). GERD symptom severity was significantly associated with poorer social functioning and sleep quality, with financial status as a key correlate Addressing psychosocial factors alongside medical treatments may enhance symptom management and improve the quality of life of GERD patients.