ABSTRACT
To evaluate the association between body mass index [BMI] and gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD] severity in the group of patients frequently suffering from moderate severe gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, one hundred and fifty eight previously untreated patients underwent upper pan-endoscopy as indicated by typical moderate severe reflux symptoms, occurring three or more times per week. Patients' BMI values were tabulated and compared to the severity of endoscopic findings [according to Savary-Millerimodified by Siewert]. Association between reflux disease activity and BMI was analyzed by Kruskall-Wallis test, while mild and severe group were compared using Mann Whitney test. Analyzing the whole group, including the patients who had no endoscopically verified erosions [Savary-Miller 0 stage = non erosive reflux disease/NERD] association was found at the level of perceivable statistical significance [p=0.0501]. However subdividing the examined population into mild [Savary-Miller 0- 1 stage] and severc [Savary-Miller 2-4 stage] groups according to the endoscopically verified mucosal lesions of the esophagus, there was a strong significant relationship between severity of GERD and BMI [p=0.0056]. In the group of patients with moderate and severe GERD symptoms elevation of BMI can be a risk factor of increased severity of GERD particularly in those who already have erosive mucosal, lesions at the time of examination