Lack of correlation between morbid obesity and severe gastroesophageal reflux disease in candidates for bariatric surgery: results of a large prospective study.

The relationship between obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a subject of debate. In this large series of 250 morbidly obese patients, all candidates for bariatric surgery, we have shown the very low prevalence of severe GERD and neither Barrett's esophagus nor esophageal adenocarcinoma was detected. Moreover, no relationship was found between GERD and not only BMI but also abdominal diameter.