The importance of obesity and carbohydrate metabolism disorders on the course of gastroesophageal reflux disease – a pilot study

Abstract

Carbohydrate metabolism disorders, obesity and a severe course of gastroesophageal reflux correlate with more frequent development of esophageal complications. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of obesity and carbohydrate disorders on the characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Methods: The study included 58 patients with excess weight. Anthropometric parameters (including the body mass index, BMI), data regarding GERD (severity of symptoms, gastroscopy and esophageal pH monitoring results) were included in the study. Correlations between obesity and GERD parameters were analyzed. Subjects were divided into a diabetic and a control group and the severity of GERD was compared. Results: GERD was diagnosed in 40 patients and occurred more frequently in the obese group (73%) than in the overweight group (57%). Increased GERD severity was associated with increased BMI only for postprandial parameters. GERD was diagnosed in most of the group with carbohydrate disorders (78% vs 63% in the non-diabetic group). No differences in the severity of GERD were observed between groups depending on carbohydrate disorders. Conclusions: In our study, GERD was common in obesity and in diabetic disorders. Increased severity of postprandial reflux was associated with an increased BMI. Diabetic disorders were not associated with more severe GERD.

Part of CIRS Nexus · Curated by Lauren Lowenstein, The Biotoxin Lady