PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE AMONG ADULTS ATTENDING PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTERS

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common gastrointestinal disorder that may substantially affect quality of life. Its occurrence is influenced by demographic, anthropometric, lifestyle, dietary, and clinical factors. Primary health care provides an important setting for identifying probable GERD and associated modifiable risk factors. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of probable gastroesophageal reflux disease among adults attending selected primary health care centers in Mosul and to identify demographic, lifestyle, dietary, anthropometric, and clinical factors associated with GERD. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 adults aged ≥18 years attending Al Rabee Primary Health Care Center, Al-Mansour Primary Health Care Center, and Al Shabkhoun Primary Health Care Center in Mosul from September 2024 to May 2026. Ethical approval was obtained first from the Nineveh Directorate of Health. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, and the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire (GerdQ). A GerdQ score ≥8 was considered suggestive of probable GERD. Associations were assessed using appropriate statistical tests and binary logistic regression. Results: The estimated prevalence of probable GERD was 33.6% (84/250). Heartburn (85.7%) and acid regurgitation (79.8%) were the most frequent symptoms. Probable GERD was significantly associated with smoking (P=0.024), physical inactivity (P=0.019), late-night meals (P=0.022), frequent spicy foods (P=0.016), frequent fatty/fried foods (P=0.018), obesity (P=0.002), increased waist circumference (P=0.009), and previous gastrointestinal disorders (P=0.006). In multivariable analysis, obesity (aOR=2.31, 95% CI 1.29–4.14), physical inactivity (aOR=1.88, 95% CI 1.07–3.31), smoking (aOR=1.94, 95% CI 1.02–3.70), late-night meals (aOR=1.91, 95% CI 1.07–3.42), frequent fatty/fried foods (aOR=1.83, 95% CI 1.04–3.22), and previous gastrointestinal disorder (aOR=2.47, 95% CI 1.25–4.89) remained independently associated with probable GERD. Conclusions: The estimated prevalence of probable GERD among adults attending the selected primary health care centers was 33.6%. Obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, late-night meals, frequent fatty/fried-food consumption, and previous gastrointestinal disorders were independently associated with probable GERD. These findings support the role of primary care in symptom-based identification and lifestyle risk assessment.