Investigating the prevalence of pill swallowing difficulties in the Western region of Saudi Arabia and its associated factors.
Background: Patients continue to encounter difficulties swallowing pills, especially solid oral medications, which can affect adherence to prescribed regimens. However, there is limited reference data concerning pill-swallowing difficulties among the general population in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia. This study aims to assess the prevalence of pill-swallowing difficulties in this region and examine associated factors.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using an online questionnaire to survey the general population in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia, excluding individuals with dysphagia. Data were collected via social media from March to April 2024. The questionnaire, adapted from a 2017 Jordanian study and translated into Arabic, was administered through Google Forms.
Results: A total of 1,947 participants completed the survey. Among them, 568 (29.2%) reported difficulty swallowing pills, feeling like the pill was stuck in their throat. Additionally, 864 (54.2%) reported having difficulty with certain medications, and 1,147 (69.7%) could not recall how long they had experienced these symptoms. A majority, 1,010 (51.9%), reported never skipping pills due to swallowing difficulty. Among those who experienced this issue, 1,321 (67.8%) drank more water to aid swallowing, while 317 (16.3%) did nothing to address it. Only 192 (9.9%) sought medical help, and 77 (4.0%) reported receiving simple advice from their doctor. Notably, 1,755 (90.1%) participants did not discuss their pill-swallowing difficulties with a healthcare provider.
Conclusion: The study highlights the need for increased patient options and proactive discussions with healthcare providers. Many participants with pill-swallowing difficulties attempted to resolve the problem independently, such as by drinking more water. However, the majority did not discuss their issues with a healthcare provider.
Key words: Prevalence, swallowing difficulties, pills
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