UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLICATIONS AND TREATMENT AMONG PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC DISEASES: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY FROM PALESTINE
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Date
2022-10-23
Authors
Deema Mahmoud Mustafa Tumeh
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Abstract
Background: Most people, older than 60, have at least one chronic disease. Therefore, these people have no choice but to use, multiple drugs. Gastrointestinal complications occur because of the harmful effects of these chronic drugs on the stomach.
Objectives: The study has assessed the prevalence of patients taking chronic drugs and suffering from upper gastrointestinal complications, the severity of these symptoms, and their taking of any gastro-protective drugs or not.
Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was developed and administered format outpatient clinics at a specialized hospital. Patients with chronic diseases who were taking at least one medication were included in the study. A form was used for data collection. The Short-Form Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire (SF-LDQ) was used to evaluate the severity of the upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Statistical analysis was performed, using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.
Results: A total of 400 patients with chronic diseases and using multiple medications participated in the study. Of these 53.8% were females and 56% were married, 58.5% were unemployed, and 70% were non- smokers.The mean age was 54.7±17.5. The most common comorbid diseases among the patients were diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis: 44.3%, 38%, and 27.3%, respectively. Most patients used between 2 and 4 medications daily. The most commonly used medication was aspirin. It was used by 50%, followed by atorvastatin, bisoprolol, and insulin: 29.5%, 25%, and 20.3%, respectively. Among the 400 participants, 362 (90.5%) suffered from upper gastrointestinal side effects like indigestion (66%), heartburn (77.5%), nausea (49.3%), and regurgitation (52.3%). Based on SF-LDQ scoring, of the 400 respondents, 235(58.8%), 109(27.3%) and 18(4.5%) suffered from mild, moderate and severe dyspepsia, respectively. In addition, 38 (9.5%) had no dyspepsia. About 81.3% of participants were prescribed gastro-protective medications. Proton pump inhibitors were the most prescribed group for 209 (52.3%) patients. Older age, marriage health insurance, education, smoking and ≥ 5 medications were all associated with a higher possibility of having dyspepsia; (p-value <0.05).
Conclusion: Upper gastrointestinal complications among patients with chronic diseases were very common. Fortunately, the symptoms were mild in most cases. The risk increased with age and with the use of high number of medications. The use of gastro-protective agents, when needed, is important.
Keywords: Chronic disease; upper gastrointestinal side effects; stomach irritation; dyspepsia;Palestine