title: Influence of overweight and obesity on upper endoscopic findings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In previous studies, increasing body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)) was related to chronic gastrointestinal symptoms, such as frequent vomiting, upper abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea. However, there have been no reports about the relationship between increasing BMI and abnormal upper endoscopic findings such as gastritis or ulcer.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of 27 319 individuals who underwent medical checkup at a healthcare center from 1 January to 31 December 2003. The following classification of BMI was applied. (i) underweight; BMI < 18.5; (ii) normal weight; 18.5 <or= BMI < 25.0; (iii) overweight; 25.0 <or= BMI < 30.0; and (iv) obese; BMI >or= 30.0. The subjects were grouped according to the findings of upper endoscopy as follows: group 1, those with erosive gastritis, gastric ulcers (benign and malignant) and duodenal ulcers; group 2, those with reflux esophagitis; and group 3, those with findings of upper endoscopy other than group 1 and group 2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of obesity and overweight was 2.2% and 30.5%, respectively. By multivariate analyses, overweight (OR 1.31, 95% CI; 1.22-1.40, P = 0.000) and obesity (OR 1.40, 95% CI; 1.14-1.72, P = 0.001) were significant contributors of group 1. Overweight (OR 1.61, 95% CI; 1.42-1.83, P = 0.000) and obesity (OR 2.23, 95% CI; 1.59-3.11, P = 0.000) were also significant contributors of group 2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the general population, increasing BMI was associated with abnormal upper endoscopic findings, such as erosive gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer and reflux esophagitis. Clarification of the cause-and-effect relationships and the mechanisms of these associations require further investigation.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Hong Joo
authors: HJ
authors: Kim
authors: Tae Woo
authors: TW
authors: Yoo
authors: Dong Il
authors: DI
authors: Park
authors: Jung Ho
authors: JH
authors: Park
authors: Yong Kyun
authors: YK
authors: Cho
authors: Chong Il
authors: CI
authors: Sohn
authors: Woo Kyu
authors: WK
authors: Jeon
authors: Byung Ik
authors: BI
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis*