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Relationship between BMI and upper gastrointestinal pathologies
Przemysław Znamirowski1,2, Łukasz Nawacki3, Stanisław Głuszek4
1Department of General, Oncological and Endocrine Surgery, Regional Hospital in Kielce, Kielce, Poland.
Medicine
|September 24, 2025
Summary
Obesity is linked to a higher prevalence of large esophageal hiatal hernias but inversely associated with intestinal reflux. Thyroid diseases also correlate with increased biliary reflux and Barrett esophagus, highlighting complex gastrointestinal disease relationships.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Obesity is a known risk factor for gastrointestinal diseases.
- Obesity may worsen intestinal reflux, leading to atrophy, metaplasia, and increased cancer risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate upper gastrointestinal pathologies in patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
- To determine the relationship between these pathologies and Body Mass Index (BMI).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 368 outpatients (March 2023 - February 2024).
- Inclusion of endoscopic and histopathological examination results.
- Assessment of hiatal hernia, reflux signs, Z-line displacement, and gastric contents.
- Histopathological analysis for inflammation, hyperplasia, atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, and Barrett esophagus.
Main Results:
- A correlation was found between higher BMI and increased prevalence of large esophageal hiatal hernias.
- An inverse relationship was observed between BMI and the incidence of intestinal reflux.
- Thyroid diseases were associated with higher incidences of biliary reflux and Barrett esophagus.
- While *Helicobacter pylori* and biliary reflux increased intestinal metaplasia and Barrett esophagus, these were not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- BMI is associated with large hiatal hernias but inversely with intestinal reflux.
- Thyroid comorbidities may increase the risk of biliary reflux and Barrett esophagus.
- Further research is needed to clarify the impact of *Helicobacter pylori* and biliary reflux on gastrointestinal pathologies.
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