Review article

Obesity and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Miroslav Šimunić
Antonio Meštrović

Abstract

Gastroesophageal re-ux disease (GERD) is one of the most common reasons for visiting a physician. Etiology and pathogenesis
of the disease is multifactorial and is still the subject of numerous studies. Obesity, whose prevalence has significantly increased over recent decades, is defined as an independent risk factor for GERD development. The central type of obesity, independently of the body mass index, is a separate risk factor for the emergence of GERD complications, including erosive gastritis, Barrett's esophagus, and adenocarcinoma. This significantly increases the socioeconomic aspect of obesity and GERD. Excess body weight mechanically increases the likelihood of reflux disease, increases intraabdominal pressure, and decreases tonus of the lower esophageal sphincter. On the other hand, GERD pathogenesis can be explained by both hormonal and endocrine fatty tissue activity. Body mass reduction, as part of the Erst line of therapy, significantly improves GERD symptomatology in obese patients.

Keywords

gastroesophageal reflux disease; obesity; overweight

Hrčak ID:

199410

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/199410

Publication date:

26.4.2018.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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