[Upper endoscopy findings in obese morbid patients candidates for bariatric surgery]

Body mass index has been associated with the presence and severity of various gastrointestinal symptoms. The aim of the study was to analyze the endoscopic findings and gastric histology of morbidly obese candidates for bariatric surgery.

We retrospectively included patients undergoing bariatric surgery at the Hospital de León from March 2005 to April 2013. The findings of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and antral histology were collected. The relationship of body mass index (BMI) with gastroscopy findings and the presence of Helicobacter pylori were assessed.

A total of 194 patients were included. An abnormality on endoscopy or antral biopsy was found in 48.7% and 78.9% of the patients, respectively. Three patients had gastric peptic ulcer, and consequently the intervention was postponed until healing. H.pylori infection was found in 63.9% of the patients. The presence of H.pylori and endoscopic findings were not related to BMI.

Gastroesophageal disease is common in morbidly obese patients and approximately half of the patients had some kind of alteration on endoscopy. Gastroscopy and H.pylori testing prior to surgery is required to rule out disease that could delay or contraindicate surgery.