Al Hikma University Conducts a Study on NSAID Use and Gastric Ulcers in Yemen
Sana’a, Yemen — Al Hikma University conducted a scientific research study examining the relationship between the therapeutic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and the development of gastric ulcers among patients at Al-Gumhori Hospital in Sana’a, Yemen.
The study was carried out as a partial fulfillment of the Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) degree requirements at the Faculty of Medicine, Al Hikma University. Using a cross-sectional design, the research included 246 participants and collected data through structured questionnaires addressing analgesic use patterns, gastrointestinal symptoms, chronic illnesses, and behavioral risk factors. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.
The results indicated a significantly higher prevalence of gastric ulcers among NSAID users, with indomethacin showing the strongest association. Other NSAIDs, such as aspirin, naproxen, and diclofenac, were also associated with increased ulcer rates. The risk was further elevated when analgesics were taken on an empty stomach. Gastrointestinal symptoms following NSAID use—including nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal bleeding—were identified as strong predictors of ulcer diagnosis.
The research team included:
- Amal Abdu Al-kawi Ali Jameel
- Ghada Thabet Qaid Al-Shara
- Nusaibh Abdulqawy Qaceemm Qaide
- Shaimaa Jamal Abdo Al-Hardi
- Reem Roweh Mohammed Said
- Tawaf Khaled Ayed Mudhaffar
- Younis AbdulRahman Al-Safri
- Abdu hamid Mohammed Al-Qahmi
- Osama Ali Hizam Al-Falahi
- Alaa Abdo Abdo Ghala
- Eyad Ghaleb Ahmed Nasr.
The study was supervised by Dr. Horia Al-Sabri, a specialist in Community Medicine, and co-supervised by Associate Professor Dr. Abdulhakim Al-Mutawakel, Consultant in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endoscopy.
The study concludes that NSAID use is a major risk factor for gastric ulcer development, particularly when taken without food. The findings emphasize the importance of patient education, careful monitoring of high-risk groups, and the use of gastroprotective strategies during analgesic therapy.
