[Reflux-like dyspepsia in obese patients]

The aim of this study was to assess, with a specially prepared questionnaire, the prevalence of reflux-like dyspepsia in a population of 40 patients morbidly obese, Body Mass Index (BMI) 46.2+/- 1.7 kg/m2, comparing the results with those deriving from the analysis of 20 healthy volunteers (BMI 20.9+/-1.7 kg/m2). The prevalence of esophageal symptoms in all obese patients was 45%, versus 15% in controls. There was a significant direct correlation between obesity and reflux-like dyspepsia (p<0.05). Patients who are morbidly overweight should be encouraged to lose weight, as the very first step in fighting Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease.