title: Gastroesophageal reflux in obese patients is not reduced by weight reduction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study tested the hypothesis that weight reduction improves the subjective and objective manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty obese patients with gastroesophageal reflux as shown by 24-h pH measurement and with symptoms requiring daily medication were studied. The patients were randomized into a group (A) treated with very low-caloric diet (VLCD) and a control group (B). Objective measurements were repeated after 6 months. Group B was then treated with VLCD and reexamined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients in group A lost 10.8 +/- 1.4 kg whereas group B gained 0.6 +/- 0.7 kg (P < 0.001). There was no reduction in reflux according to pH measurement. Furthermore, there were no significant changes in reflux symptoms. After VLCD treatment, group B lost 9.7 +/- 1.6 kg, but reflux indicators remained unchanged. All patients except one in group B remained dependent on daily anti-reflux medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Weight reduction does not improve the subjective or objective manifestations of reflux.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Surgery, Ersta Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kjellin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rössner
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thor
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000178:diet therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D015431:Weight Loss