title: Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in Turkish people: a positive correlation with abdominal obesity in women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing around the world due to abdominal obesity with altered eating habits and decreased physical activity. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for gastroesophagial reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and the prevalence of GERD in patients with MetS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five hundred patients (MetS, n=300 and the control group, n=200) were enrolled in the study. A detailed questionnaire reflux symptoms and behavioral habits was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty percent of the subjects were with MetS. GERD rate was significantly higher in the group with MetS compared to subjects without MetS (50.7% vs 26%). Women were more likely to have GERD in both groups (62.6% of women and 28.6% of men ın the MetS group while corresponding rates were 37% vs 16.7% in the control group). Waist circumferences were found to be higher in female MetS patients with GERD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GERD is present approximately in every one of the two patients with MetS. Every patient who has MetS should be evaluated in terms of GERD symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sergul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karayaka
authors.affiliation: Department of 2 Internal Medicine Clinic, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Banu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mesci
authors.affiliation: Department of 2 Internal Medicine Clinic, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aytekin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oguz
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gonca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tamer
keywords: Abdominal obesity; Turkish population; gastroesophageal reflux; metabolic syndrome; obesity