Sumatera Medical Journal
Vol. 8 No. 2 (2025): Sumatera Medical Journal (SUMEJ)

The Relationship Between Body Mass Index (BMI) and the Occurrence of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Among Students of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Batch of 2021 and 2022

Dimas Zainuddin Amir (Undergraduate Program of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, 20155, Indonesia)
M. Aron Pase (Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, 20155, Indonesia)
Melvin Nova Gunawanto Barus (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, 20155, Indonesia)
Adriansyah Lubis (Department of Forensic Medicine and Medicolegal, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, 20155, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 May 2025

Abstract

Background: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a common digestive disorder, especially among young adults like college students. One factor linked to GERD is Body Mass Index (BMI). Although higher BMI is associated with a greater risk of GERD, limited data exists on this relationship in university populations, particularly at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara. Objective: This study aims to analyze the relationship between BMI and GERD incidence in FK USU students from the 2021 and 2022 batches. Methods: An analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted using simple random sampling. The subjects were Medical Education students from the 2021 and 2022 batches. Data collection was done through direct distribution of the GERD-Q questionnaire. Statistical analysis included univariate and bivariate methods using chi-square tests. Results: Among 100 respondents, 52 (52.0%) had GERD. Among those with GERD, 43 (29.6%) were obese and 9 (22.4%) had normal BMI. Of those without GERD, 34 (20.6%) had normal BMI and 14 (27.4%) were obese. A significant relationship was found between BMI and GERD (p = 0.011). Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between BMI and GERD incidence among FK USU Medical Faculty students from the 2021–2022 batches.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

smj

Publisher

Subject

Immunology & microbiology Medicine & Pharmacology

Description

Sumatera Medical Journal (SUMEJ) provides a forum for publishing the full research articles in the area of Medical Science related to topics from the following subject areas: -Cancer and Related Aspects -Biomoleculer in Basic Sciences -Biomoleculer in Clinical Sciences -Tissue Engineering including ...