Ethnic variation, epidemiological factors and quality of life impairment associated with dyspepsia in urban Malaysia

• Published in: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics Vol. 31; no. 10; pp. 1141 - 1151
• Main Authors: MAHADEVA, S., YADAV, H., RAMPAL, S., EVERETT, S. M., GOH, K.‐L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-05-2010; Blackwell
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Asian Continental Ancestry Group - ethnology; Biological and medical sciences; Digestive system; Dyspepsia - epidemiology; Dyspepsia - ethnology; Epidemiologic Methods; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Malaysia - epidemiology; Malaysia - ethnology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Other diseases. Semiology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Quality of Life; Socioeconomic Factors; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Urban Health; Young Adult; Asia; Malaysia; Human; Ethnic origin; Urban environment; Dyspepsia; Variations; Digestive diseases; Urban area; Epidemiology; Ethnic group; Public health; Quality of life
• ISSN: 0269-2813; 1365-2036
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04270.x

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 1141–1151
Summary
Background  The role of ethnicity in the development of dyspepsia remains uncertain.
Aims  To examine the epidemiology of dyspepsia in a multi‐ethnic Asian population and its impact on health‐related quality of life (HRQOL).
Methods  A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in a representative urban population in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Results  A total of 2039 adults (mean ± s.d. age: 40.5 ± 11.8 years, males 44.2%, ethnicity: Malays 45.3%, Chinese 38.0% and Indians 13.1%, tertiary education level 62%, professional employment 47.7% and median monthly income USD 850.00) were interviewed. Dyspepsia was prevalent in 496 (24.3%) adults. Independent predictors for dyspepsia, explored by logistic regression, were identified as: Malay (OR 2.17, 95% CI = 1.57–2.99) and Indian (OR 1.59, 95% CI = 1.03–2.45) ethnicity, heavy chilli intake (OR 2.35, 95% CI = 1.15–4.80), use of regular analgesia (OR 3.51, 95% CI = 2.54–4.87) and chronic illness (OR 1.67, 95% CI = 1.22–2.28). HRQOL was assessed with the EQ‐5D and significantly lower scores were noted in dyspeptics compared with healthy controls (0.85 ± 0.17 vs. 0.95 ± 0.12, P < 0.0001).
Conclusion  Ethnicity, in addition to recognized epidemiological factors, is a risk factor for dyspepsia in an urban multi‐racial Asian population.