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RISK FACTORS OF PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE AMONG MALE AND FEMALE MEDICAL STUDENT AND INTERNS IN DIFFERENT CITIES IN KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

Mohammad Eid Mahmoud Mahfouz, Abdullah Sitr Aljuaid, Talal Abdullah Alzahrani, Tariq Mesfer Alharthi, Fahad Mohammed Alzahrani, Mona Sitr Aljuaid, Alwaleed Saeed Ali Aljabir

Background: Potential risk factors of PUD include family history, smoking, medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and antibiotic, some dietary habits, daily life habits and stress. Objective: We aimed to estimate the prevalence of PUD risk factors among male and female medical student and interns in different cities in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in addition to describing the symptoms of PUD. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a self-administered paper questionnaire. In addition, data about the participants’ weight and height measurements was collected to calculate the body mass index. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 396 male participants and 460 female participants from different cities in Saudi Arabia took part in this study and were included in the statistical analysis. The most common risk factors of PUD were stress (94.2%), eating spicy food (72.8%) and using NSAIDs (42.2%). Data showed that high BMI (p<0.00), living in a high-altitude city (p<0.001), smoking (p<0.001), alcohol consumption (p<0.001) and eating spicy food (p=0.007) were more common among males while using NSAIDs was more common among females (p<0.001). The most common symptom of PUD included abdominal pain (55.1%), followed by changes in appetite (40.2%) and heartburn (36.8%). Conclusion: Results showed a considerably significant differences between male and female medical students and interns when it comes to the risk factors of PUD. Identifying the most common symptoms and risk factors of PUD will allow earlier detection and accordingly better management of the disease in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Keywords: Peptic ulcer disease, smoking, high altitude, Saudi Arabia, abdominal pain, NSAIDs.

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