Prevalence, Quality of Life and Factors Associated with Dysmotility Among Outpatients in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Dysmotility (the most common form of dyspepsia) is highly prevalent in Western countries; however, there is little data regarding its prevalence, pattern, associated factors and impact on the quality of life in African countries. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, pattern, quality of life and factors associated with dysmotility among outpatients attending a regional hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Methods: Between June 2013 and July 2013, a total of 1062 adults aged 18 years and above were recruited into this cross-sectional study and completed validated Swahili-language self-administered questionnaires. The Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD Questionnaire was used as a diagnostic tool for dysmotility. Quality of life was assessed using the Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia (QOLRAD) Questionnaire. The prevalence of dysmotility was expressed as a proportion. The quality of life was expressed as Mean Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia (QOLRAD) dimension scores and was compared between subjects with dysmotility and subjects without dysmotility. Logistic regression analysis was used to test the significance of the associations between predictor variables and dysmotility. A p value of < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The mean age ± standard deviation of the study subjects was 46.0±19.5 years and 60.5% were females. The prevalence of dysmotility was 35.0%. Current alcohol consumption (OR = 1.65, 95% CI; 1.01-2.71) was independently associated with dysmotility while male gender (OR = 0.71 95% CI; 0.53-0.94) was associated with 29% decreased odds of having dysmotility. The quality of life in subjects with dysmotility was lower than that of subjects without dysmotility in all five domains of the QOLRAD Questionnaire. Majority of patients with dyspepsia (66.9%) had sought medical advice and 67.7% took medications for their symptoms.

Conclusions: The prevalence of dysmotility is high in this hospital-based population. Male gender was associated with decreased odds of having dysmotility whereas current alcohol consumption was an independent risk factor for dysmotility. Dysmotility causes a significant impairment in the quality of life. Majority of patients with dysmotility seek medical advice and also take medications for symptom relief.