Temporal Changes in Psychological Distress, Body Mass Index, and Blood Pressure Across an Academic Cycle Among Medical Students in Dubai, United Arab Emirates: A Cohort Study

Background Medical training is associated with substantial psychological strain and adverse lifestyle patterns that may influence both mental wellbeing and cardiometabolic health. Longitudinal data from the Gulf region remain limited, particularly regarding the concurrent behaviour of psychological distress, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure (BP) across the academic cycle. Objective To describe temporal changes in psychological distress, BMI, and BP among undergraduate medical students at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, across three academically relevant time points. Methods This observational cohort study followed medical students from three undergraduate years over an 12-month period in 2019. Measurements were obtained during a regular semester interval (T1), before final examinations (T2), and after summer vacation at the beginning of the new term (T3). Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Anthropometric measurements and BP were obtained using standardized procedures and calibrated equipment. Data from 110 students were included in the final analysis. Results The final cohort included 85 female students (77.0%) and 25 male students (23.0%). Normal BMI remained the most common category at all three time points: 59.1% at T1, 63.6% at T2, and 57.3% at T3. Psychological distress peaked before finals, when only 8.2% of students reported no distress, while 57.3% reported mild distress, 16.4% moderate distress, and 18.2% severe distress. By T3, 64.5% reported no distress. Mean BP values were also highest at T2 in both sexes. Among male students, mean systolic/diastolic BP changed from 113.5/76.5 mmHg at T1 to 130.0/82.3 mmHg at T2, before falling to 112.3/74.0 mmHg at T3. Among female students, corresponding values were 111.9/75.3 mmHg, 126.5/87.4 mmHg, and 114.5/76.2 mmHg. Conclusions The pre-final examination period was associated with the most adverse profile of psychological distress and BP among MBRU medical students. These findings support the need for structured student wellbeing and cardiovascular risk surveillance during high-stress periods in medical education.