Abstract
ABSTRACT
 BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Overweight individuals have a greater tendency to develop gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This study aims at comparing gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (frequency and severity) in females with different body mass index (BMI) categories.
 METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional comparative research study was conducted over duration of 8 months. Both indoor and outdoor patients of medical unit – II Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi, fulfilling the inclusion criteria i.e. females 30-55 years of age with confirmed diagnosis of GERD and informed consent were included. Subjects with history of cigarette smoking, diabetes, use of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT), anti-hypertensive or asthma medication were all excluded. Data were collected via proforma and analyzed on SPSS version 17.
 RESULTS: Among 360 enrolled women, 08 (2.2%) subjects were underweight, 109 (30.3%) had normal BMI, 151 (41.9%) were overweight, 88 (24.4%) subjects were obese and 04 (1.1%) belonged to morbidly obese group. Among 109 subjects with normal BMI, 53 (48.6%) had mild, 40 (36.69%) moderate, 13 (11.9%) severe and 03 (2.75%) very severe GERD. Among 151 overweight subjects, 37 (24.50%) were with mild severity, 64 (42.38%) with moderate, 35 (23.17%) severe and 15 (9.93%) had very severe GERD. Among 04 morbidly obese subjects, 02 (50%) had severe while remaining 02 (50%) had very severe GERD (p=0.000).
 CONCLUSION: Association of GERD symptoms and BMI were found in both normal and overweight women. Reflux symptoms may be exacerbated or even caused by moderate weight gain in people with normal weight.
Highlights
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with the characteristic features of acid regurgitation and heartburn is a prevalent disease involving up to 60% of population at some time during the course of a year and 20-30% of population at least weekly . [1,2] It is among the most common disease of gastrointestinal tract
Several cross sectional studies and one metaanalysis conducted in west have depicted a positive association between elevated body mass index (BMI) and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) . [8,9] GERD is a lifelong disease that requires life style modification and weight loss [10] besides avoiding acidic foods and products that reduce lower esophageal sphincter tone or delay gastric emptying and reduction of meal size etc. is an important advice to be given to the patients of GERD . [11,12] An association between BMI and symptoms of Corresponding Author: Dr Arshad Rabbani Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine Unit-II Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi
BMI of selected subjects was calculated by measuring height and weight and subsequently subjects were segregated in underweight, normal, overweight, obese and morbidly obese groups according to BMI
Summary
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with the characteristic features of acid regurgitation and heartburn is a prevalent disease involving up to 60% of population at some time during the course of a year and 20-30% of population at least weekly . [1,2] It is among the most common disease of gastrointestinal tract. High BMI is associated with symptoms of GERD in both normal weight and overweight women. [8] Essential part of treatment of gastroesophageal disease includes weight loss which results in marked improvement in symptoms of GERD. This study aims at comparing gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (frequency and severity) in females with different body mass index (BMI) categories. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional comparative research study was conducted over duration of 8 months Both indoor and outdoor patients of medical unit – II Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi, fulfilling the inclusion criteria i.e. females 30-55 years of age with confirmed diagnosis of GERD and informed consent were included. CONCLUSION: Association of GERD symptoms and BMI were found in both normal and overweight women.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of University Medical & Dental College
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
