Effect of Weight Changes on the Development of Erosive Esophagitis

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is highly prevalent among overweight and obese individuals. This study aimed to investigate the effect of weight change on the development of erosive esophagitis (EE).

A retrospective review of medical records from a university hospital in South Korea identified 7,123 subjects who underwent routine health checkups in 2012 and 2014. We excluded participants with EE in 2012. Body mass index (BMI) changes were classified as loss, stable, mild gain, or moderate gain.

Mild and moderate weight gain increased the odds of EE development (odds ratio [OR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.84 and OR, 2.80; 95% CI, 1.87-4.21, respectively) relative to weight stability. Weight loss decreased the odds of EE development (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.38-0.90) relative to weight stability. After stratifying subjects into three groups by baseline BMI, those with mild and moderate weight gain in the obese group and moderate gain in the overweight group showed increased odds of EE development relative to members of those groups whose weights remained stable (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.29-3.36; OR, 3.92; 95% CI, 1.99-7.73 in obese group, and OR, 3.30; 95% CI, 1.64-6.64 in overweight group, respectively). In comparison, weight loss in the normal weight group decreased the odds of EE development relative to weight stability (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.15-0.97).

Weight gain was positively associated with EE development in overweight or obese individuals. Weight loss was negatively associated with EE development in normal-weight individuals.