A population-based cohort analysis of prevalence, risk factors, and self-reported symptoms of gastrointestinal drugs in Iran: Patterns and Predictors

Purpose: The regulation of self-medication with gastrointestinal (GI) medications is a significant public health issue, especially in resource-constrained environments like Iran. Extensive pharmacoepidemiologic data are crucial for enhancing prescription practices and distribution methods. Methods: This population-based cohort study examined data from the Ravansar non-communicable diseases (RaNCD) cohort, which included ۱۰,۰۴۷ persons aged ۳۵ to ۶۵ across a six-year duration. Utilizing the WHO's ATC/DDD categorization system, we evaluated the prevalence, self-medication behaviors, and predictors of GI drug usage, emphasizing demographic, lifestyle, and socioeconomic variables. Results: Of the ۱۰,۰۴۷ participants, ۵,۴۲۵ (۵۴.۰۰%) indicated the use of at least one GI drug, with ۳,۱۷۷ of these individuals (۵۸.۵۶%) practicing self-medication. The predominant GI illnesses were dyspepsia (۲۲.۳۳%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (۹.۴%), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (۱.۸۶%), and probable Helicobacter pylori infection (۱۷.۴۰%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that female sex (OR = ۱.۳۳; ۹۵% CI: ۱.۲۲–۱.۴۳), age ۵۵–۶۵ years (OR = ۱.۴۶; ۹۵% CI: ۱.۲۷–۱.۶۷), current smoking—linked to elevated odds of both dyspepsia (OR = ۱.۷۷; ۹۵% CI: ۱.۵۳–۲.۰۵) and IBS (OR = ۱.۵۲; ۹۵% CI: ۱.۲۱–۱.۹۰)—and diabetes (OR = ۱.۲۸; ۹۵% CI: ۱.۱۱–۱.۴۸) significantly heightened the risk of GI disorders. Conversely, hypertension correlated with reduced risks of dyspepsia (OR = ۰.۸۵; ۹۵% CI: ۰.۷۳–۰.۹۹). These data underscore the multifaceted nature of GI drug utilization and identifying at-risk individuals requiring focused treatments. In conclusion, the utilization of GI medications is extensive, and self-medication continues to be significantly common. Targeted, evidence-based treatments and comprehensive drug monitoring systems are crucial for improving prescription practices and health outcomes, especially in high-risk groups.

کلیدواژه ها:

Pharmacoepidemiology ، Dyspepsia ، Self-Medication ، Gastrointestinal Drugs