ABSTRACT
Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD] is one of the most common health problems that cause a financial burden on healthcare systems worldwide. The prevalence of GERD in Saudi Arabia is steadily increasing. There is a paucity of data regarding GERD among University students
Material and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted to assess the prevalence of GERD among male students of Taif University in the western region of Saudi Arabia in addition to determining the risk factors associated with the occurrence of GERD. Data were collected through a self-administration questionnaire. In addition, weight and height were measured to calculate the body mass index [BMI] of participating students
Results: Of 464 students who participated from different colleges of the University; More than half of the male students in Taif University [53.2%, 95% CI= 48.7% to 57.8%] suffer from GERD. There was higher prevalence among smokers, overweight and obese students, those who drink plenty of soft drinks. Students with hypertension, psychiatric diseases, diabetes mellitus, asthma or irritable bowel syndrome had higher prevalence of reflux. GERD was significantly present among students with history of psychological stress
Conclusion: Special consideration should be given to raising the awareness of about gastro esophageal reflux disease among the public and its controllable risk factors. The psychological stress among University students needs to be tackled to decrease reflux among them
ABSTRACT
Our present study was designed to evaluate the role of circulating E-selectin as a marker of endothelial dysfunction in coronary artery disease [CAD] and to answer the question [Is E-selectin considered one of the acute phase reactants in acute coronary syndrome or not?]. Fifty-six patients with CAD [thirteen cases had stable angina pectoris [SAP]; twenty-two cases had unstable angina [UA] and twenty one cases had acute myocardial infarction [AMI] were included in this study compared with ten healthy normal persons as control groups [NC]. All patients and control group were subjected to the following: [full medical history, clinical examination; resting [ECG]; two dimensional echo-cardiographic Doppler examination and coronary angiography [where CAD was considered when one or more of epicardial coronary vessels was stenosed >/= 50% E-selectin was evaluated once for all patients except for those of AMI the evaluation of E-selectin was done twice [at admission and after 24 hours of admission]. Total serum cholesterol [TC], serum triglyceride [TG], LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and random blood sugar [RBS] were evaluated for all patients. A highly significant levels of E-selectin were obtained when E-selectin level in AMI group was compared to NC group [P<0.01]. UA group showed a significant comparative results with NC group [P<0.05]; while no significant results when E-selectin in SAP group was compared to NC group. E-selectin show significant statistical difference when comparison was done between AMI group and UA [P<0.05], and between AMI and SAP [P<0.01] and between UA and SAP [P<0.05]. E-selectin did not show a statistical difference when comparison was made in AMI group at admission and 24 hs later.No direct relation between E-selectine and other risk factors TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, RBS, but there is parallel relation between E-selectin and TC, TG, HDL-C. E-selectin is significantly elevated in AMI and UA [compared to SAP group and NC group]; so it is suggested to be used in the future as a useful marker for the diagnosis of AMI and UA but not for SAP [i.e. as acute phase reactant in acute coronary syndrome]. E-selectin may be used as a diagnostic tool to differentiate between UA and SAP