[Gastroesophageal reflux and obesity].

BACKGROUND

There is a possible relationship between gastroesophageal reflux and overweight, that has not been studied extensively.

AIM

To study the association between overweight and gastroesophageal reflux in a group of patients and normal controls.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Body mass index of 85 patients with gastroesophageal reflux and 100 patients with Barrett esophagus, was compared with that of 171 healthy controls.

RESULTS

There were no differences in body mass index between healthy subjects and patients with gastroesophageal reflux. However, there was a higher proportion of overweight males and obese females with Barrett esophagus than among healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS

We did not find an association between overweight and gastroesophageal reflux, but patients with Barrett esophagus had a higher body mass index than normal controls.