Comparing Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and Non-GERD Patients Based on Knowledge Level of Acute Myocardial
Abdullah H Bohamad1, Hadeel H Buali2, Jinan M Aljasem2
1Medicine, King Faisal University, Alahssa, SAU.
Insights
Knowledge of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) symptoms and actions is low in Saudi Arabia, with no significant difference found between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients and non-GERD patients. More public awareness programs are needed.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
- Public Health
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading global cause of mortality.
- Differentiating acute myocardial infarction (AMI) from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be challenging due to overlapping symptoms like chest pain.
- This study addresses the critical need to assess public awareness of AMI symptoms and immediate actions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the knowledge of AMI signs, symptoms, and immediate actions between GERD and non-GERD patients in Saudi Arabia.
- To evaluate the overall awareness level of AMI within the Saudi population.
Main Methods:
- An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire from October to November 2022.
- Data were collected from 691 Saudi participants (300 non-GERD, 391 GERD) aged 18 and above.
- The questionnaire assessed GERD status, demographics, and knowledge regarding GERD and AMI.
Main Results:
- A high awareness of GERD (75.5%) was observed, varying significantly with marital status, education, and occupation.
- No significant difference in AMI awareness was found between GERD and non-GERD participants.
- The internet was the primary source of AMI information, followed by healthcare professionals; common AMI symptoms identified were chest pain and shortness of breath.
Conclusions:
- There is a general lack of awareness regarding AMI in Saudi Arabia.
- No significant difference in AMI knowledge exists between GERD and non-GERD patient groups.
- Initiating targeted public health campaigns is recommended to improve awareness of AMI and CVD in Saudi Arabia.
Introduction:
A major cause of death globally is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and heartburn are common symptoms of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Chest pain is also the main symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Therefore, the differential diagnosis of chest pain can become more challenging when GERD and AMI coincide. This study evaluated and compared the knowledge of the signs, symptoms, and immediate action that must be taken regarding AMI among GERD and non-GERD patients.
Methodology:
An observational cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire was created and published between October and November 2022 to collect data from Saudi males and females 18 or older willing to participate in the study. Participants who were not Saudi had declined to complete the survey or had not fully completed it was excluded. The questionnaire contained three sections; after collecting informed consent, it made inquiries regarding respondents' GERD status, demographic information, and knowledge and attitudes regarding GERD.
Results:
This study included 691 responses from 300 non-GERD participants and 391 GERD participants. The study showed a high level of awareness (75.5%) of GERD, with significant differences in the level of awareness according to marital status, education levels, and occupation status. There was no significant difference in the level of awareness according to gender and GERD diagnosis, where the p-value > 0.05. The most common source of information about AMI was the Internet, followed by health care professionals. The most commonly known symptoms of AMI were sudden pain or discomfort in the chest, followed by a sudden shortness of breath. Additionally, there was no significant association between the diagnosis of GERD and known risk factors. The association between GERD and other diseases (chi-square = 46.94, p-value 0.01). Obesity and smoking were the two main risk factors for heart attacks.
Conclusion:
This study demonstrated that there was no significant difference between GERD and non-GERD participants regarding the knowledge and awareness level of AMI. Moreover, it showed that there was a lack of general knowledge and awareness of AMI in Saudi Arabia. The authors recommend initiating more awareness programs in Saudi Arabia to inform people about AMI and cardiovascular disease. More research is required to determine whether other patients are aware of AMI.
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