EFFECT OF WATERPIPE SMOKING ON GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE AND EXERCISE CAPACITY IN YOUNG MALES IN SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

Background: Waterpipe smoking (WPS) have detrimental effects on both Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and exercise capacity. The harmful chemicals in smoking can aggravate GERD symptoms. Similarly, the respiratory and cardiovascular effects of smoking can reduce exercise capacity, impairing physical endurance and recovery. Purpose of the study: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of waterpipe smoking on gastroesophageal reflux disease and exercise capacity in young males in Saudi Arabia. Subject and Methods: Two hundred young males (waterpipe smokers & cigarette smokers), were be assessed in internal medicine department and evaluated in physiotherapy department at Najran hospital in Najran city, The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, their ages ranged from 25 to 35 years old. Persons were randomly assigned into two equal groups, each group consists of 100 patients. Before inclusion in this study full description of study, procedures for each person and written consent had been signed. All persons were assessed by Weight- height scale to measure the body weight and height of all men before study enrollment to calculate their BMI, Gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire (GerdQ) as a diagnostic tool for GERD in primary care, and The 3-min incremental step-in-place (3MISP) test to predict the VO2 max of healthy adults, and to evaluate exercise capacity. Results: At the end of the study, the results revealed that there is significant increase in mean values of Gastroesophageal reflux disease is favorable of young males of Saudi Arabia in waterpipe smoking group (group A) than Saudi Arabia young males in cigarette smoking group (group B), the mean ±SD values of gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire in group A and group B were 12.24 ±2.10 and 10.24 ±1.89, respectively. This significant increase in mean values of exercise capacity is favorable of young males of Saudi Arabia in waterpipe smoking group (group A) than Saudi Arabia young males in cigarette smoking group (group B), the mean ±SD values of 3-min incremental step-in-place test in group A and group B were 98.71 ±5.15 and 90.82 ±5.19, respectively. Conclusion: On the basis of this study, it could be concluded that waterpipe smoking is associated with a greater burden of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms and impaired exercise capacity in young males. Which, in the face of the growing prevalence of waterpipe smoking in many populations, can inform public health and policy making.