Prevalence and characteristics of dyspepsia among college students in Zhejiang Province

AIM: To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of uninvestigated dyspepsia among college students in Zhejiang Province.

AIM:To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of uninvestigated dyspepsia among college students in Zhejiang Province.METHODS:Young adult students attending undergraduate(within the 4-year program)and graduate(only first-year students)colleges in Zhejiang Province were recruited between November 2010 and March2011 to participate in the self-report survey study.The questionnaire was designed to collect data regarding demographics(sex and age),general health[weight and height,to calculate body mass index(BMI)],and physical episodes related to gastrointestinal disorders.Diagnosis of dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)was made according to the RomeⅢcriteria.Gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)was defined by episodes of heartburn and/or acid reflux that occurred at least once a week,according to the Montreal definition.RESULTS:Of 2520 students recruited for survey par-ticipation,only 1870(males:967;age range:17-32years,mean age:21.3 years)returned a completed questionnaire.One hundred and eight(5.67%)of the student participants fit the criteria for dyspepsia diagnosis.Stratification analysis of dyspepsia and non-dyspepsia cases showed no statistically significant differences in age or BMI;however,the prevalence of dyspepsia was significantly higher in women than in men(7.53%vs 4.14%,P<0.05).Stratification analysis of dyspepsia by grade level showed that year 4 undergraduate students had a significantly higher prevalence of dyspepsia(10.00%vs undergraduate year 1:5.87%,year 2:3.53%and year 3:7.24%,and graduate year 1:3.32%).Nearly all(95.37%)students with dyspepsia reported symptoms of postprandial distress syndrome,but only a small portion(4.63%)reported symptoms suggestive of abdominal pain syndrome.The students with dyspepsia also showed significantly higher rates of IBS(16.67%vs non-dyspepsia students:6.30%,P<0.05)and GERD(11.11%vs 0.28%,P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Although the prevalence of dyspepsia among Zhejiang college students is low,the significantly higher rates of concomitant IBS and GERD suggest common pathophysiological disturbances.