ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS FOR DYSPEPSIA AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING THE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT TEACHING HOSPITAL, PORT HARCOURT

ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS FOR DYSPEPSIA AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING THE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT TEACHING HOSPITAL, PORT HARCOURT

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Dyspepsia, a common disorder in general practice, refers to pain or discomfort
centred in the upper abdomen. Dyspepsia may indicate the presence of serious disease, such as
peptic ulcer or gastric cancer. The discovery of Helicobacter pylori has resulted in important
advances in the management of dyspepsia. Since diagnostic procedures are conducted in only a
minority of dyspeptic patients in primary care, management of dyspepsia usually involves
treatment, with emphasis on organic disorders, e.g. peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and infection with
Helicobacter pylori. Some general practice patients with dyspepsia, however, suffer from non
ulcer disease, so-called idiopathic or functional dyspepsia in which no definite structural or
biochemical explanation for the symptoms can be identified. Medication is often prescribed for
dyspepsia in primary care, although the effectiveness of medication in functional dyspepsia is
questionable because of the variable but generally high response to placebo.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at determining the prevalence of dyspepsia and
assessed its various risk factors namely, age, gender, stress, alcohol, cigarette smoking, ingestion
of coffee, Helicobacter pylori infection, socio-economic class and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs.
METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional descriptive study of 418 adult patients attending the General
Out-Patient Department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital was carried out
between July 1st and August 31st 2009. An informed consent was obtained before each subject was
interviewed using a questionnaire and blood taken to detect the presence of Helicobacter pylori
infection. They were also examined for signs that determine the health impact of dyspepsia before
they were sent to the laboratory for P.C.V estimation and stool analysis for detection of occult
blood. Approval was obtained from the Ethical Committee of the University of Port Harcourt
Teaching Hospital before the study was carried out.
RESULTS: Four hundred and eighteen (418) persons consisting of 168 (40.2%) males and 250
(59.8%) females were selected through systematic sampling. The subjects were adults aged from
18 upwards with a mean age of 33.7 years (standard deviation of ±2). Among the 418 recruited
participants, 187 (44.7%) had dyspepsia while the remaining 231 (55.3%) did not have dyspepsia.
In this study, dyspepsia was commonest among the females 119(63.6%)(Fig.2), in the 21-30 years
age group (Tab.3), in the low socio-economic class 87(46.5%)(Tab.5) and those that ingested non
steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(Tab.14). Dyspepsia was significantly associated with the intake
of coffee, alcohol, stress, P.C.V of ≥ 30% and a positive faecal occult blood result. The prevalence
of dyspepsia in this study was 44.7%. Out of the 187 dyspeptics in this study, 80 had uncomplicated
dyspepsia, 57 had dyspepsia with alarm features, while 50 had functional dyspepsia.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dyspepsia is high among patients attending the General Out
Patient department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Factors associated with
dyspepsia in Port Harcourt include, stress, alcohol, coffee, P.C.V of ≥ 30% and a positive stool
occult blood test.

ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS FOR DYSPEPSIA AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING THE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT TEACHING HOSPITAL, PORT HARCOURT