Prevalence and aggravating factors of symptom of gastroesophageal reflux in medical students of the Federal University of Tocantins

Abstract

AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence and aggravating factors of heartburn symptom possibly associated with gastroesophageal reflux in medical students of the Federal University of Tocantins. METHODS: A cross-sectional study evaluated questionnaires given to students of the Medical School of the Federal University of Tocantins between 09/23/2013 and 10/04/2013. The analyzed variables were age, sex, body mass index, frequency of occurrence of symptoms, perception of factors that aggravate the symptom of heartburn, smoking, and use of drugs to relieve symptoms of heartburn. To calculate the prevalence, occurrence of heartburn more than once a week was considered as a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux, but the aggravating factors were investigated in subjects who reported having had this symptom at least once in life. Statistical analysis included absolute and relative frequencies of the variables as well as the confidence intervals of 95%. RESULTS: At all 186 students were evaluated, of which 160 reported heartburn at some time. In those who reported such symptom, the predominant age group was 21-25 years (65.0%), and 51.3% were male. The symptom of heartburn occurring at least once a week was reported for 88 (47.3%) of respondents, being 53 (28.5%) for once a week and 35 (18.8 %) for more than once a week. Considering all the 160 students who reported having had heartburn at some time, there was a worsening of symptoms in the presence of emotional disorders (67.5%), eating fatty foods (63.7%) and alcoholic beverages (60.6% ). CONCLUSIONS: Medical students in the study showed a high prevalence of heartburn. This symptom was aggravated in most interviewees by intake of fatty or spicy foods, emotional changes, and alcoholic beverages.