Prevalence, characteristics, and determinants of chest pain among physicians in the Middle East and North Africa: A multinational cross-sectional study

Background Physicians face substantial occupational, psychological, and cardiovascular risk factors predisposing them to chest pain, yet no large-scale study has examined this in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This study determined the prevalence, characteristics, and determinants of chest pain among MENA physicians. Methods This multinational cross-sectional study enrolled 6,224 physicians from 12 MENA countries (August–December 2023). Chest pain was classified using the Rose Angina Questionnaire. Anxiety and panic disorder were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Panic Disorder Screener (PADIS). Binary and multinomial logistic regression identified independent determinants. Results Overall, 795 (12.8%) met criteria for definitive anginal pain and 2,836 (45.6%) for possible anginal pain. In the adjusted binary model, panic disorder was the strongest predictor (AOR = 2.76, 95% CI: 2.44–3.13), followed by physical comorbidities (AOR = 1.91), sleep deprivation (AOR = 1.61), female sex (AOR = 1.49), anxiety disorder (AOR = 1.38), and obesity (AOR = 1.30). All nicotine product categories were independently associated with chest pain. Multinomial analysis revealed stronger associations of panic disorder (AOR = 3.52) and tobacco use with definitive anginal pain, while electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) use was significant only for possible anginal pain. Middle-income country physicians had higher odds than those from high-income countries (AOR = 1.71). Conclusion Chest pain was highly prevalent among MENA physicians, and was strongly associated with panic disorder, anxiety, sleep deprivation, and nicotine product use. Integrated occupational health programmes addressing both psychological and cardiovascular risk are urgently needed.