Laryngopharyngeal reflux in war-torn Syria and its association with smoking and other risks: an online cross-sectional population study

ObjectivesTo demonstrate the burden of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in Syria and its associated variables.DesignThis is a cross-sectional study that used online questionnaires that included demographics, smoking, war-related questions and reflux symptom index (RSI).SettingThis research was conduct...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMJ open 2020-11, Vol.10 (11), p.e041183-e041183
Main Authors: Kakaje, Ameer, Alhalabi, Mohammad Marwan, Alyousbashi, Ayham, Hamid, Aya, Mahmoud, Yousef
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Age
Asthma
Child
Child, Preschool
Cross-Sectional Studies
Ear, Nose and Throat/Otolaryngology
Education
Epidemiology
Female
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux - epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Otolaryngology
Population
Public health
Questionnaires
Smoking
Smoking - adverse effects
Socioeconomic factors
Software
Surveys and Questionnaires
Syria - epidemiology
Variance analysis
Young Adult
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Summary:ObjectivesTo demonstrate the burden of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in Syria and its associated variables.DesignThis is a cross-sectional study that used online questionnaires that included demographics, smoking, war-related questions and reflux symptom index (RSI).SettingThis research was conducted online across Syria and included the general population.ParticipantsParticipants who lived in Syria, agreed to participate, and responded to all the RSI questions were included. This research comprised 734 participants, with 94.6% response rate, 75.5% being females, and a mean age of 24 years.ResultsOverall, 31.9% of subjects had symptoms suggestive of LPR. Participants who were 30 years and younger had fewer symptoms suggestive of LPR compared with the older group p=0.012 (OR 0.534; 95% CI 0.325 to 0.877). While having an epigastric burning sensation, chest pain and indigestion were the most common symptoms, having a sore throat was the least common. Being distressed from war noises was associated with more symptoms p=0.009 (OR 1.562; 95% CI 1.117 to 2.183). However, losing someone or changing place of living due to war were not significantly associated with these symptoms p>0.05. RSI scores were associated with cigarette and/or shisha smoking p
ISSN:2044-6055
2044-6055
DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041183