Prevalence of dyspeptic symptoms and associated lifestyle factors among 3rd-year undergraduates in the University of Kelaniya

Abstract

INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: Dyspepsia includes epigastric discomfort, bloating and post-prandial fullness/early-satiety. Dyspepsia affects daily activities and quality-of-life. We assessed prevalence and associated lifestyle factor of dyspepsia among undergraduates of University of Kelaniya (UoK). METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 3rd-year undergraduates of following faculties of UoK: Commerce & Management (CM), Humanities, Medicine, Science and Social Science (SS). The participants were selected randomly by stratified-cluster-sampling. Demographic data, presence of dyspepsia (Short Form Leeds Questionnaire), dietary habits, smoking & alcohol use, and sleep (WHO STEPS report) and stress levels (Perceived Stress Scale) were collected suing a self-administered questionnaire. Ethical clearance was granted by the Ethics-Review-Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, UoK. RESULTS: 347 (64-CM, 70-Humanities, 70-Medicine, 73-Science and 70-SS) responded. Overall occurrence of dyspepsia was 45.2% (50%- CM, 51.4%-Humanities, 45.7%-Medicine, 26.0%-Science, 54.3%-SS). Dyspepsia was significantly less among Science undergraduates (p<0.05). On bivariate-analysis, Faculty (other than Science) (p<0.01), consumption of fatty foods (daily) (p<0.05), spicy foods (daily) (p<0.01), vegetables (daily) (p <0.05), sleep (<6 hours) (p<0.05), moderate to high stress level (p<0.001), missing breakfast (p<0.05), skipping meals (daily) (p<0.05) were associated with dyspepsia. There was no association of smoking or alcohol habits with dyspepsia. On multivariate-analysis, spicy food (daily) (p<0.05, OR 1.8), missing breakfast (p<0.01, OR 2.1), sleep <6 hours (p<0.05, OR 1.8) and moderate-high stress level (p<0.001, OR 5.6) were found to be independently associated with dyspepsia. CONCLUSION: 45% of undergraduates of UoK had dyspepsia. Daily consumption of spicy food, missing breakfast, sleep <6 hours, and moderate-high stress level were found to be independently associated dyspepsia.