Risk assessment of obstructive sleep apnea among gastroesophageal reflux disease patients in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported the association between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of GERD among Saudi population, and to determine the risk of OSA among those diagnosed with GERD in Taif city of Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was done among 843 Saudi participants using a questionnaire by collecting demographic data, weight, height, blood group, and having a previous nose or throat surgery. The GERD questionnaire and the sleep apnea symptom index were used to determine GERD and OSA prevalence. RESULTS: The prevalence of GERD and OSA was 17.6% and 2.4%, respectively. A significantly higher prevalence of GERD was found among males, those with age >50 years, employees and obese participants, and those having OSA. Participants with an age >50 years and males, had a significantly higher prevalence of OSA. Being a male and older age were predictors for GERD, and the presence of GERD was an independent predictors for OSA. CONCLUSION: Future population-based studies including a representative sample of the population should be done to confirm the revealed association between GERD and OSA. It is necessary to assess GERD in patients with OSA in clinical practice.

Prevalence of chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of chronic pain (CP) and high-impact chronic pain (HICP) in a sample of the general adult population in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional online survey (N=24,265). Forty data collectors from 5 regions of Saudi Arabia approached people to complete the questionnaires through different social media applications, using a validated survey in Arabic language. RESULTS: Chronic pain and HICP prevalences in the Saudi adult population were found to be 46.4% (CP) and 4% (HICP), with a higher prevalence among women and elderly. Chronic back pain was the most reported pain location. Half of the respondents reported dissatisfaction with pain services. Greater prevalence of HICP was found among women, elderly, unemployed, and those with low-income status. Patients with HICP were more likely to have more healthcare utilization and have more negative impacts on their physical and psychological wellbeing. CONCLUSION: Chronic pain and HICP are common in Saudi Arabia, especially among females and elderly, suggesting a public health problem. This calls for collaborative efforts at various levels of the social hierarchy to ensure the provision of effective management of CP in Saudi Arabia.