Large waist circumference is a risk factor for reflux esophagitis in Japanese males.
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.
Yasuhara
Hisae
H
Department of Internal Medicine, Mitoyo General Hospital, Kanonji, Japan.
Miyake
Yasuhiro
Y
Toyokawa
Tatsuya
T
Matsumoto
Kazuyuki
K
Takahara
Masahiro
M
Imada
Takayuki
T
Yagi
Satoru
S
Miyatake
Hirokazu
H
Nakatsu
Morihito
M
Ando
Masaharu
M
Hirohata
Mamoru
M
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