title: The Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Correlate with High Body Mass Index, the Aspartate Aminotransferase/Alanine Aminotransferase Ratio and Insulin Resistance in Japanese Patients with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to compare the association between the body mass index (BMI) and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in allegedly normal subjects undergoing regular medical checkups and subjects diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Additionally, the correlation between the BMI and GERD symptoms was evaluated in subjects with NAFLD.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 50 patients with NAFLD and 228 normal subjects evaluated during regular medical checkups. The height, weight, BMI, frequency scale for the symptoms of GERD (FSSG), and serum concentrations of triglycerides and γ-GTP were compared between the two groups. In the NAFLD group, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations were measured and insulin resistance was calculated using the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total FSSG score moderately correlated with the BMI in the NAFLD group (r=0.342, p=0.015), but correlated negatively in the control group (r=-0.014, p=0.831). The FSSG score in the NAFLD group also negatively correlated with the AST/ALT ratio (r=-0.319) and insulin resistance calculated using the QUICKI score (r=-0.288). The BMI in the NAFLD group moderately correlated with the acid-reflux related score on the FSSG (r=0.389), and both the AST/ALT ratio (r=-0.344) and QUICKI score (r=-0.330) negatively correlated with the dyspepsia score on the FSSG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obesity evaluated by the BMI was a significant risk factor for the exacerbation of GERD symptoms in subjects with NAFLD.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Saga Medical School, Japan.
authors.forename: Motoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fujiwara
authors.forename: Yuichiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Eguchi
authors.forename: Norio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fukumori
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Eguchi
authors.forename: Motosuke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomonaga
authors.forename: Tsuneaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshioka
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hyakutake
authors.forename: Yuta
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakanishi
authors.forename: Itaru
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kyoraku
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sugioka
authors.forename: Kazuma
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
authors.forename: Motoyasu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kusano
authors.forename: Shu-ichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamashita
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides
chemical_list: D014280:Triglycerides; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase