Gastroesophageal reflux disease and body mass index among adults in PERSIAN Guilan cohort study

Background and objective: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive complication that is common in adults and defined by heartburn and regurgitation. Due to the increasing frequency and problems of the disease, epidemiological features of GERD have been considered in recent years. Therefore, we examined the factors related to GERD in different body mass index (BMI) categories.Materials and methods: We did a cross-sectional analysis of the primary information from a population-based cohort study of ۱۰۵۲۰ people in Guilan Province, Iran. Demographic characteristics such as age, gender, smoking history, and alcohol consumption were collected using a self-administered questionnaire; also, anthropometric and clinical information were surveyed. Data analyzed with SPSS version ۲۱.۰.Results and conclusion: A total of ۱۰۵۲۰ participants were aged ۳۵ to ۷۰ years and included ۵۶۳۳ (۵۳.۵۵%) females and ۴۸۸۷ (۴۶.۴۵%) males. The frequency of GERD was ۱۳.۲% in the present study and was more prevalent in people with high BMI levels. According to analysis, GERD was significantly associated with female gender and low physical activity. Alcohol and smoke use was inversely associated with GERD. This large population-based study indicated risk factors in people with high BMI increased occurrence of GERD that altering these variables may reduce or prevent GERD indications must be elucidated in controlled trials.

Keywords:

Body mass index , Gastroesophageal reflux disease , Lifestyle , risk factors