Does the Increase of the Body Mass Index Aggravate Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease?

Aim: We aimed to study the association between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and body mass index (BMI). Material and Method: 120 patients that had reflux esophagitis (RE) that was detected by esophagogastroduodenoscopy (n= 40), that had reflux symptoms albeit without esophagitis (non-erosive reflux esophagitis disease= NERD) (n= 40) and that had neither reflux symptoms nor esophagitis (n= 40) were included into the study. The age, gender, height, weight, alcohol consumption and smoking history of the patients were recorded. The duration, frequency and intensity of the symptoms were assessed. Results: The mean age of the patients was 41.7 and 57.5% of the patients were female. There was no significantly difference in age, mean body mass index, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking between the groups (p> 0.05). 25% of the RE patients, 77.5% of NERD patients and 70% of the control group patients were female (p= 0.001). There was no statistically difference between NERD and control group patients (p> 0.05). However, there was no statistically difference in age, mean body mass index, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking between GERD (RE+NERD) and control group patients (p> 0.05). Discussion: There was no statistically difference in the mean BMI, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking between RE, NERD, and control group patients. While the incidence of RE is higher in males, NERD occurs in equal numbers in both genders.