Frequency of Obesity among Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Patients

Abstract

Objective: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) prevalence ranges from 24% to 35% in Pakistani population. Studies have demonstrated GERD frequency is directly proportional to increasing weight. Thus, the frequency of obesity among gastro esophageal reflux disease patients was determined. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted on outpatients with GERD visiting Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi; from December 2017 to June 2018. Clinical and demographic parameters of study population were recorded. Body mass index (BMI) more than 27 was labeled as obese. Patients with history of ischemic heart disease, pregnancy, ascites and/or Patients on NSAIDS, bisphosphonates or steroids were excluded. Results: One hundred and fifty patients with mean age of 43.3±11.5 years were included in study. Eighty-seven patients (63.3%) had age more than 40 years. Majority of study population were males 95 (63.3%). Mean height and weight of study population were 163.09±9.56 cm and 72.92±15.13 kg, respectively. Mean BMI were 27.55±6.02 in which 71 (47.3%) were obese i.e., BMI >27. Majority were Urdu speaking i.e., 57 (38%) followed by Sindhi 31 (20%) Diabetes mellitus was documented in 22 (14.7%) and hypertension in 16 (10.7%) patients. Statistically significant association of GERD was seen in obese females (p-value: 0.018) Conclusion: Increase frequency of obesity is significantly associated with GERD. More proportion of obese females has GERD. Keywords: Gastro esophageal reflux disease; Body mass index; Weight; height