Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Among Undergraduate Medical Students in Egypt: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Ali Essa,1 Ahmed Nasser,1 Ibrahim Mohamed Noureldeen,1 Ibrahim Ebeid,1 Ahmed Ebeid,1 Baraa Ahmed,2 Heba Khodary Allam,3 Somaia Shehab-Eldeen,4 Abdallah Essa4 1Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt; 2Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 3Public Health and Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt; 4Internal Medicine Department, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Somaia Shehab-Eldeen, Internal Medicine Department, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, 31982, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Email [email protected]: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a prevalent gastrointestinal condition that has a detrimental impact on one’s quality of life because of acid reflux causing damage to the esophagus. Primary symptoms consist of heartburn and regurgitation, although patients may also encounter chest pain, nausea, and dysphagia. Medical students may be particularly susceptible due to stressful lifestyles and unhealthy habits. This study investigates the prevalence of GERD among medical students in Egypt and explores associated risk factors.Subjects and Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study that was conducted among undergraduate medical students at 21 medical schools across Egypt. The study included 602 participants from medical schools. The study utilized a pre-designed, self-administered questionnaire that includes questions about sociodemographic and lifestyle attributes, accompanied by the GERDQ questionnaire used to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease.Results: A total of 602 undergraduate medical students completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of GERD was found to be 28.4%, with heartburn and regurgitation being the most prevalent symptoms among participants. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression revealed family history of GERD and stress after medical school enrollment as significant predictors of GERD symptoms (p=0.043 and p=0.044, respectively).Conclusion: GERD has become increasingly common among medical students in Egypt. Contributing factors include medical students’ stressful lifestyles and familial predispositions. To address this, it is essential to implement counseling programs and raise awareness as initial steps toward reducing GERD prevalence.Keywords: GERD, medical, students, risk, factor, Egypt