Abstract

Introduction: Risk factors and precipitants of gastro-oesophageal disease (GERD) differ widely in communities. We conducted an observational study to describe these risks, precipitants and clinical presentation of GERD patients at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Tanzania.

 

Methods: We consecutively recruited 92 GERD patients who were referred for endoscopy at KCMC from March to November 2008. By using structured questionnaire we enquired: risk factors, precipitants, symptoms of GERD and upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings.

 

Results: The mean (± SD) age of the study population was 47.32 (±17) years. Reported symptoms included water brash (37%), dyspepsia (6%), chronic cough (11%) and hemoptysis (5%). More than half (56%) of the patients surveyed identified food precipitants for their GERD symptoms. Triggers of GERD symptoms were boiled beans 19%, spicy food 11%, sour/fermented meals 10%, roasted tomato 9%, silver cyprinid fish (dagaa) 5%,beans with cooked green banana (matoke) 2% and fermented milk 1%. Most of the studied patients had normal body mass index (52%), and 25% admitted to be consuming alcohol though they didn’t associate it with their GERD symptoms. The most common endoscopy finding was ‘loose lower oesophageal sphincter (85%).

 

Conclusion: Most GERD patients referred for endoscopy at KCMC were found to have water brash and ‘loose lower oesophageal sphincter’ as described by endoscopists to denote mechanical abnormality of the lower oesophageal sphincter.