Relationship between Lifestyle Indicators and Un-investigated Dyspepsia Among Adult Patients in a Primary Care Setting in Northern Nigeria
B. B. Fatusin, A. J. Fatusin, B. A. Grema, O. T. Lewechi-Uke, A. Abubarkar, S. Apanisile, M. Baura, Z. Dannina
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Un-investigated dyspepsia has remained a
common encounter among patients seen in primary care in sub-
Saharan Africa. A preventive approach through counselling patients
on modifications of lifestyle factors related to dyspepsia could be a
cost-effective approach to dyspepsia management in primary care in
low- and middle- income settings.
OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to describe the
sociodemographic patterns of adult patients with un-investigated
dyspepsia in the Family Medicine Clinics, Federal Medical Centre,
Gusau, Nigeria, to describe the pattern of lifestyle factors among
adult patients with un-investigated dyspepsia, to determine the
relationship between lifestyle patterns and un-investigated dyspepsia
and to describe the specific food types that precipitate dyspepsia
among the respondents
METHODS: A hospital based cross- sectional study using the Short
Form Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire to describe the presence and
severity of dyspepsia and Simple Lifestyle Indicator Questionnaire to
describe the lifestyle pattern of participants.
RESULTS: Most respondents (66.9%) have healthy dietary patterns
however more respondents 66(52.4%) engaged in unhealthy levels of
physical exercise. The Stress level was intermediate in majority of
respondents (66.1%). There was no statistically significant
association between lifestyle indicators and severity of dyspepsia
among the respondents although the linear regression model with pvalue
< 0.01 and < 0.05, revealed stress as a predictor of dyspepsia in
this study.
CONCLUSION: There was no relationship between lifestyle
indicators and Uninvestigated dyspepsia among the study
participants. However, some specific local foods were identified as
precipitants of dyspepsia. Primary care physicians may consider a
targeted dietary modification counselling approach in managing
patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia. WAJM 2024; 41 (1): 65 - 73.
KEYWORDS: Uninvestigated Dyspepsia, Lifestyle indicators
