Factors Associated to Abnormal Distal Esophageal Exposure to Acid and Esophagitis in Individuals Seeking Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) impacts choice and outcomes of bariatric surgery. However, GERD diagnosis based solely on symptoms yields inaccurate results.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the factors associated with a positive 24h pH-monitoring (pH-test) or esophagitis in patients with severe obesity seeking bariatric surgery.

SETTING

Private practice.

METHODS

93 patients with severe obesity underwent prospective evaluation for GERD symptoms, body composition, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, esophageal manometry and pH-test. Correlation analyses were performed.

RESULTS

50 patients (53.8%) had GERD symptoms, 49 (52.7%) had esophagitis and 33 (35.5%) had a positive pH-test. Among patients with GERD symptoms, 18% had normal pH-test and no esophagitis, while 34.9% of patients without GERD symptoms had positive pH-test, esophagitis or both. Factors independently associated with positive pH-test were esophagitis (PR:3.08, 95%CI: 1.4-6.9, P = 0.006) and defective lower esophageal sphincter (PR:1.88, 95%CI: 1.09-3.21, P = 0.02). Factors independently associated with esophagitis were hiatal hernia (PR: 2.46; 95%CI: 1.6-3.7, P<0.001), GERD symptoms (PR:2.09; 95%CI: 1.3-3.4, P = 0.003) and positive pH-test (PR:1.82; 95%CI: 1.2-2.7, P = 0.003). The combined presence of GERD symptoms and esophagitis had a low positive predictive value for a positive pH-test (57%). On the other hand, the absence of both GERD symptoms and esophagitis had a 90% predictive value for a negative pH-test.

CONCLUSIONS

Investigation for GERD before bariatric surgery should consist of routine upper endoscopy and GERD symptom evaluation in all patients. Patients with GERD symptoms and no esophagitis may need a pH-test for GERD diagnosis. Prospective studies are needed to understand significance of GERD diagnosis prior to bariatric surgery.