Relationship Between Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Sleep Disruption Among the Population in Saudi Arabia

aimed to assess the prevalence of GERD among people with sleep disorders and the effect of GERD on sleeping quality among people in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study with 733 participants took place in Saudi Arabia. A validated Arabic version of the GERD questionnaire (GERDQ) and the Athens insomnia scale (AIS) were distributed through Google fill-in forms to assess GERD and insomnia prevalence and relationship. Data about participants' demographics, weight, height, smoking, chronic diseases, physical activities, type of analgesics used, number of meals/days, types of foods, most drinks, and improvement of GERD symptoms with PPI were collected. The study's participants had an average age of 37.01 ± 13.21, and 27.1% had chronic diseases. About 36% (36.4%) had GERD, and 46.5% had insomnia. Participants with GERD had a significantly older mean age, lived in cities, drank coffee as their most common beverage, and their symptoms improved when they used (omeprazole, Esomeprazole, Lansoprazole, Pantoprazole, Rabeprazole). GERD was associated with delayed sleep induction, minor problems waking up at night, waking up slightly earlier than desired, slightly unsatisfactory overall sleep quality, and mild sleepiness during the day. Participants with insomnia had a significantly higher GERD prevalence, and the GERDQ and the AIS scale results demonstrated a significant positive association. The implementation of awareness programs for appropriate sleep hygiene behaviors among GERD patients.