Prevalence of biliary gastritis and associated demographic, dietary, and clinical factors among adults in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: a cross-sectional study.
Biliary gastritis is an under-recognized inflammatory condition associated with duodenogastric bile reflux and nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms, often leading to diagnostic challenges. Epidemiological data from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq are limited. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of biliary gastritis among adults with available diagnostic data and to examine its associations with demographic, lifestyle, dietary, and clinical factors.
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2024 and April 2025 among 638 adults recruited from urban and rural healthcare centers. Biliary gastritis was identified based on documented clinical diagnosis and/or prior endoscopic findings. Among participants with available diagnostic documentation (n = 486), the prevalence of biliary gastritis was 26.7%. The mean age of participants was 43.53 ± 15.25 years. Significant associations were observed with sex, marital status, occupation, dietary factors (fast food consumption, fruit and vegetable intake, and caffeine intake), gallstone disease, liver disease, and gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain (p < 0.05). No significant associations were found with diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or physical activity. Multivariable logistic regression identified several demographic, dietary, and clinical variables associated with biliary gastritis. These findings suggest that biliary gastritis represents a notable health concern in this setting, highlighting the importance of dietary modification and improved access to diagnostic services. However, findings should be interpreted cautiously due to the cross-sectional design and reliance on facility-based data. Further longitudinal studies are warranted.
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2024 and April 2025 among 638 adults recruited from urban and rural healthcare centers. Biliary gastritis was identified based on documented clinical diagnosis and/or prior endoscopic findings. Among participants with available diagnostic documentation (n = 486), the prevalence of biliary gastritis was 26.7%. The mean age of participants was 43.53 ± 15.25 years. Significant associations were observed with sex, marital status, occupation, dietary factors (fast food consumption, fruit and vegetable intake, and caffeine intake), gallstone disease, liver disease, and gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain (p < 0.05). No significant associations were found with diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or physical activity. Multivariable logistic regression identified several demographic, dietary, and clinical variables associated with biliary gastritis. These findings suggest that biliary gastritis represents a notable health concern in this setting, highlighting the importance of dietary modification and improved access to diagnostic services. However, findings should be interpreted cautiously due to the cross-sectional design and reliance on facility-based data. Further longitudinal studies are warranted.
Authors
Fatah Fatah, Mahmood Mahmood, Hawezy Hawezy, Mustafa Mustafa, Barzinjy Barzinjy, Ahmed Ahmed
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