15. Prevalence of Acid Peptic Disease in Young Doctors and its Major Causes
Aden Khalid Shah1, Syeda Maryam Hussain2 and Zainab Zafar3
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the prevalence of Acid Peptic Disease in young doctors and its relationship with dietary habits, nature of duty and workload.
Study Design: Analytical / cross sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Medicine, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore from December 2017 to February 2018.
Materials and Methods: Questionnaire based study from a random sample of 100 doctors working in different teaching hospitals of Lahore. In this study, a sample of 100 doctors was taken from government hospitals of Lahore. This sample included male and female doctors with ages ranging from 25 -40 years, and included House Officers, Postgraduate Residents and Medical Officers.
Results: Of the 100 doctors interviewed, 67% had suffered from APD at some stage during their professional life. Of these, 35% started having APD during M.B.B.S. whereas 16% during House job. The doctors with duty hours of more than 50 hours per week had increased incidence of APD as compared to the doctors who clocked lesser work hours. 51% of doctors consumed fast food during duties, 60% had weight gain during professional life and 78% consumed beverages like coffee and tea. 55% doctors suffered from symptoms of APD during emergency duty. Among those who suffered from APD, 20.4% also used anxiolytic medication.
Conclusion: APD is very common among young doctors and can be prevented by reducing working hours which will directly lead to stress reduction and in turn APD. The risk of APD is directly and proportionately linked to more working hours and lack of balanced diet among doctors.
Key Words: Acid Peptic Disease, Heartburn, Young Doctors, Peptic Ulcer Disease
Citation of articles: Shah AK, Hussain SM, Zafar Z. Prevalence of Acid Peptic Disease in Young Doctors and its Major Causes. Med Forum 2018;29(7):58-61.