Relationship between uninvestigated dyspepsia and body mass index: a population-based study

Recent studies have shown inconsistent results about the association between body mass index and symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the association between body mass index (BMI) and symptoms of uninvestigated dyspepsia in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and their relations with age.

This study was designed as a cross-sectional and population based evaluation that was conducted in Iran. The patients were interviewed by using questionnaire which was arranged on the basis of Rome III criteria for functional dyspepsia. The association between body mass index, age and dyspepsia symptoms was determined.

A total of 790 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms (249 men, mean +/- SD of age, 49.9 +/- 19 years; mean +/- SD of BMI, 25.4 +/- 4.7) were included and among them 681 (86.2%) had symptoms of dyspepsia. The prevalence of dyspepsia symptoms among females younger and older than 50 years were 83% and 93.8% ,respectively, but these percentages among males younger and older than 50 years were 84.5% and 81.5%.In males younger and older than 50 years 42.9% and 37.6% had BMI over than 25, but these percentages were 51.3% and 54.8% for females. Among overweight and obese patients the prevalence of dyspepsia symptoms were 82.7% and 78%, respectively, compared with normal weight (90.7%).

After the age of 50, the prevalence of dyspepsia symptoms and high body mass index were increased in females, but were decreased in males. No relation between symptoms of dyspepsia and body mass index in both genders was found.