Prevalence of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Among Electronic Cigarette-Smoking University Students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction The rise of vaping, especially among young adults in Saudi Arabia, has raised concerns due to the lack of awareness of the health risks associated with electronic cigarette use. This study examines the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) among university students in Riyadh, focusing on smoking behaviors and their influence on GERD symptoms. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September 2024, including random students aged 18 and above from several universities in Riyadh city. An online questionnaire, distributed via social media platforms, collected demographic data, smoking behaviors, and GERD prevalence using the validated Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire (GerdQ). Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, IBM Corp., Version 27.0, Armonk, NY). Results The study sample included 403 students. GERD was diagnosed in 93 (64.6%) of students with health problems. Smoking habits revealed that 93 (23.1%) smoked tobacco and 176 (43.7%) used electronic cigarettes. Students who smoked or vaped reported greater GERD symptom scores than nonsmokers. A substantial gender difference was found, with men reporting more GERD symptoms than women. Body mass index (BMI) also increased GERD severity, with overweight and obese students reporting higher symptoms. Smoking duration was inversely associated with symptom severity, with newer smokers experiencing more severe symptoms. The frequency of vaping was also linked to increased GERD symptoms, with frequent vapers (four to seven days per week) scoring higher. Conclusions GERD is prevalent among university students in Riyadh, especially among smokers and electronic cigarette users. Smoking behavior, gender, and BMI significantly influenced GERD symptoms. These findings highlight the need for public health initiatives to reduce smoking and vaping among young adults and promote awareness of the risks of GERD.