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Gastric capacity is related to body mass index in obese patients. A study using the water load test
M Mejía-Rivas1, J M Remes-Troche, A Montaño-Loza
1Gastroenterology and Surgery Department, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico. jose.remes.troche@gmail.com
Background:
The role of gastrointestinal function in obesity is unknown. Recent studies have shown that satiety in obese patients is influenced by an abnormal gastric capacity.
Aim:
An easy and non-invasive tool, the water load test (WLT) was used to evaluate gastric capacity and how it relates to body mass index (BMI) in obese patients.
Methods:
The WLT was performed in 32 patients with high BMI and 12 healthy volunteers. Water was ingested at a 15 mL/min rate. The maximal tolerable volume (MTV) was defined as the total ingested volume when patients stopped the test.
Results:
A BMI > 30 was significantly associated with higher water consumption (2339 ± 306 mL) compared to controls (1830 ± 240 mL, p = 0.001). The MTV had a positive correlation with BMI (r = 0.68, p = 0.001).
Conclusions:
Obese subjects have an increased gastric capacity, as measured with the WLT. This greater drinking capacity has a positive correlation with the subjects' BMI.
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