The prevalence of dyspepsia in the city of bolu (Uninvestigated): A population-based study

Dyspepsia is one of the significant health problems in Turkey, as well as throughout the world. Dyspepsia is associated with increased health care costs, loss in work force (and therefore financial loss), and loss of time. It occurs in connection with different pathologies, and wide range of conditions should be considered in the differential diagnosis. It may be related to organic or functional causes. The condition affects approximately 25% of the population. The prevalence of dyspepsia varies in different populations but ranges between 15 and 20%. Many other conditions can result in dyspepsia. Organic causes are found in 40% of all cases. Peptic ulcers appear as the underlying cause in up to 25% of the cases. The pathological mechanism of functional dyspepsia is not well-established. Upper gastrointestinal motor and sensorial dysfunction is thought to be responsible for the disease. Considering its impact in reduced productivity and increased health care costs, a total of 328 subjects (155 males and 173 females) were included in the present study that was conducted in the City of Bolu. A questionnaire prepared in accordance with Roma III criteria was administered to the study participants during house visits, and the participants signed an informed consent form. Of the subjects, 47.3% (n=155) were male and 52.7% (n=173) were female, and the mean age of the participants was 41.5±13.57 years; mean height was 1.66±0.08 meters, and mean BMI was 26.3±4.1 kg/m². When the marital status of the subjects were evaluated, 76.5% (n=251) were married, 20.1% (n=66) were unmarried, and 3.4% (n=11) were divorced/widowed. Of the subjects, 141 (43%) were primary school graduates, 17 (5%) were illiterate, 92 (28%) were high-school graduates, and 78 were university graduates. Socioeconomic status (SES) of the subjects was determined according to the occupations and educational levels of the subjects using a socioeconomic status matrix (Appendix 3). Accordingly, 15.5% (n=51) of the subjects had low SES, 82.6% (n=271) had moderate SES, and 1.8% (n=6) had high SES. At the end of the study, the prevalence of dyspepsia in the City of Bolu was found to be 18.6%. Age, gender, body mass index, educational level, socioeconomic status, employment status, smoking, and alcohol use had no effect on the prevalence of dyspepsia. On the other hand, GERD, nausea and chest pain were significantly more prevalent in patients with dyspepsia. Keywords: Uninvestigated dyspepsia, dyspepsia prevalence, Bolu Province