High visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio is associated with an increased risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease in non-obese adults

This study aimed to determine the association between GERD and abdominal fat area quantified by computed tomography (CT). Methods: We analyzed the effect of abdominal fat area on gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and erosive esophagitis using logistic regression models in 5,338 participants who underwent abdominal fat measurement CT and screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Results: Participants with reflux symptoms and erosive esophagitis were diagnosed in 1,168 (21.9%) and 671 (12.5%), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that subcutaneous and visceral fat areas were significantly associated with reflux symptoms and erosive esophagitis. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) in the fourth quartile of visceral fat area compared with that in the lowest quartile was 1.98 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.63 –2.39) for reflux symptoms and 2.33 (95% CI 1.80–3.01) for erosive esophagitis. Visceral fat area had a stronger effect in the younger age group. In the group
Source: Digestive Diseases - Category: Gastroenterology Source Type: research