Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Pregnancy: The Influence of Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone and Modifiable Risk Factors

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms during pregnancy and identify hormonal, nutritional, and lifestyle factors contributing to their severity. Material and Methods: The study was conducted involving 612 pregnant women aged 20 to 40 years, with gestational ages between 5 and 36 weeks. Participants were categorized into three groups based on their trimester. GI symptoms were assessed using the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS). A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics, obstetric history, prior GI conditions, and lifestyle factors. Results: The study found that indigestion (77.6%, n=475), reflux (68.5%, n=419), and abdominal pain (69.9%, n=428) were the most common GI symptoms reported. While indigestion (78.4%, n=171) followed by nausea (76.1%, n=166) was the most common symptoms in the first trimester, abdominal pain (78.1%, n=171) and reflux (76.3%, n=167) were most frequent in the second trimester, In the third trimester, indigestion (81.1%, n=142) was again the most common symptom, followed by reflux (76.6%, n=134). High GSRS scores were found to be significantly associated with excessive tea consumption (OR: 4.22, 95% CI: 1.44-12.35, p<0.001), employment status (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.63-3.32, p<0.001), and TSH levels (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.13-1.41, p<0.001). Conclusion: GI symptoms are highly prevalent during pregnancy and are influenced by modifiable factors such as tea consumption, weight gain, and work-related stress. Monitoring thyroid function, managing weight, reducing tea intake, and addressing stress may help alleviate these symptoms, thereby improving the quality of life for pregnant women.

Keywords

• Gastrointestinal disease
• Pregnancy
• Risk factors

Gebelikte Gastrointestinal Semptomlar: Tiroid Uyarıcı Hormonun Etkisi ve Değiştirilebilir Risk Faktörleri

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı gebelik sırasında gastrointestinal (GI) semptomların yaygınlığını değerlendirmek ve bu semptomların şiddetine katkıda bulunan hormonal, beslenme ve yaşam tarzı faktörlerini belirlemektir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Bu çalışma, 20 ila 40 yaşları arasında, gestasyonel yaşları 5 ila 36 hafta arasında olan 612 gebe kadın ile yapılmıştır. Katılımcılar, trimesterlerine göre üç gruba ayrılmıştır. GI semptomlar, gastrointestinal semptom derecelendirme ölçeği (gastrointestinal symptom rating scale, GSRS) kullanılarak değerlendirilmiştir. Demografik özellikler, obstetrik geçmiş, önceki GI durumlar ve yaşam tarzı faktörleri hakkında veri toplamak amacıyla yapılandırılmış bir anket uygulanmıştır. Bulgular: Çalışmada en sık görülen GI semptomların sindirim bozukluğu (%77,6, n=475), reflü (%68,5, n=419) ve karın ağrısı (%69,9, n=428) olduğu bulundu. İlk trimesterde sindirim bozukluğu (%78,4, n=171) ve bunu izleyen bulantı (%76,1, n=166) en sık görülen semptomlar iken, ikinci trimesterde karın ağrısı (%78,1, n=171) ve reflü (%76,3, n=167) en sık idi. Üçüncü trimesterde ise sindirim bozukluğu (%81,1, n=142) yine en sık görülen semptomdu ve bunu reflü (%76,6, n=134) izlemekteydi. Yüksek GSRS skorlarının aşırı çay tüketimi (OR: 4.22, %95 CI: 1.44-12.35, p<0.001), çalışma durumu (OR: 2.32, %95 CI: 1.63-3.32, p<0.001) ve TSH düzeyleri (OR: 1.26, %95 CI: 1.13-1.41, p<0.001) ile anlamlı şekilde ilişkili olduğu bulundu. Sonuç: GI semptomlar gebelik sırasında oldukça yaygındır ve çay tüketimi, kilo artışı ve iş kaynaklı stres gibi değiştirilebilir faktörlerden etkilenmektedir. Tiroid fonksiyonlarının izlenmesi, kilo yönetimi, çay tüketiminin azaltılması ve stresle başa çıkma yöntemleri, bu semptomları hafifletmeye yardımcı olabilir ve böylece gebe kadınların yaşam kalitesini iyileştirebilir.

Keywords

• Gastrointestinal hastalıklar
• Gebelik
• Risk faktörleri

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