title: Large waist circumference is a risk factor for reflux esophagitis in Japanese males.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prevalence of reflux esophagitis, which might lead to development of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma, has been increasing. The aim of this study was to assess risk factors for reflux esophagitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1,495 Japanese subjects undergoing health checkups (822 males and 673 females; median age 50 years) at a tertiary care center.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and twenty-seven subjects (8%) had reflux esophagitis and hiatal hernia was observed in 292 subjects (20%). Reflux esophagitis (13 vs. 3%) and hiatal hernia (28 vs. 9%) were more frequent in males than females. Significant differences in clinical backgrounds were observed between females and males. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that hiatal hernia (OR 6.63, 95% CI 2.47-17.8; p = 0.0002) was associated with reflux esophagitis in females. In males, age (per 1-year increment: OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.99; p = 0.007), hiatal hernia (OR 3.16, 95% CI 2.05-4.87; p < 0.0001) and waist circumference (per 1-cm increase: OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02-1.15; p = 0.006) were associated with reflux esophagitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abdominal obesity may be an important risk factor for reflux esophagitis in males compared with females.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Mitoyo General Hospital, Kanonji, Japan.
authors.forename: Hisae
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yasuhara
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miyake
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Toyokawa
authors.forename: Kazuyuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takahara
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Imada
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yagi
authors.forename: Hirokazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miyatake
authors.forename: Morihito
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakatsu
authors.forename: Masaharu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ando
authors.forename: Mamoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hirohata
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006551:Hernia, Hiatal / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056128:Obesity, Abdominal / Q000150:complications; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055105:Waist Circumference