# Frequency of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Obese Patients Presenting to Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan

## TL;DR

This study found that nearly a quarter of obese patients at a hospital in Pakistan had gastroesophageal reflux disease, highlighting a strong link between obesity and this condition.

## Contribution

The study provides new local data on the frequency of gastroesophageal reflux disease among obese patients in Pakistan.

## Key findings

- 25.8% of 282 obese patients had gastroesophageal reflux disease.
- Most patients with the condition were women and aged 41-60 years.
- Obesity, age, and lifestyle factors increase the risk of developing the disease.

## Abstract

Background: Obesity is a serious health issue that affects millions of people worldwide and is associated with a number of comorbid conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease. The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease increases with an increase in body mass index; thus, obese patients are at a high risk of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease. The main aim of this study was to determine the frequency of gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with obesity.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the Gastroenterology Department of Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan, from June 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. All obese patients (body mass index >30 kg/m2), aged 18-60 years of either sex, with heartburns with or without regurgitation at least three times weekly were included in the study, while patients with a history of esophageal surgery and those with achalasia, scleroderma, esophageal stricture, and esophageal malignancy were excluded from the study.

Results: Among the total 282 obese patients, the majority (53.2%) were women. The mean age was 42.56 years with a standard deviation of 11.4 years. Most of the patients (168, 59.6%) were in the age range of 41-60 years. Seventy-three (25.8%) participants were having gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Conclusion: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is quite common in obese patients. In particular, obese patients with a sedentary or sitting nature of job, older age, high body mass index, and injudicious use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and who smoke are at high risk of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease.