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Published on: August 25, 2015
Obesity increases oesophageal acid exposure
Hashem B El-Serag1, Gulchin A Ergun, John Pandolfino
1Section of Health Services Research, Houston Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. hasheme@bcm.tmc.edu
Gut
|November 28, 2006
Summary
Obesity increases gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) risk by raising oesophageal acid exposure. Abdominal fat, measured by waist circumference, plays a key role in this association.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Obesity Medicine
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Obesity is linked to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
- Understanding how obesity influences GERD is crucial for developing effective management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between oesophageal acid exposure and anthropometric measurements of obesity.
- To determine if body mass index (BMI) or abdominal circumference is a stronger predictor of GERD symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 206 patients undergoing 24-hour pH-metry.
- Measurements included body weight, height, waist circumference, and hip circumference.
- Statistical analyses examined associations between acid reflux parameters and anthropometric measures.
Main Results:
- Patients with a BMI >30 kg/m² showed significantly increased acid reflux episodes and prolonged exposure.
- Waist circumference was also associated with increased oesophageal acid exposure, though less consistently than BMI.
- Adjusting for waist circumference attenuated the association between high BMI and acid exposure, suggesting a mediating role for abdominal fat.
Conclusions:
- Obesity contributes to GERD risk, primarily through increased oesophageal acid exposure.
- Abdominal obesity, indicated by waist circumference, partially explains the link between overall obesity and GERD.
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