Influence of overweight and obesity on upper endoscopic findings.
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.
Kim
Hong Joo
HJ
Department of Internal Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Yoo
Tae Woo
TW
Park
Dong Il
DI
Park
Jung Ho
JH
Cho
Yong Kyun
YK
Sohn
Chong Il
CI
Jeon
Woo Kyu
WK
Kim
Byung Ik
BI
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*