Sept 15 : Italian scientists have discovered that obesity increases the risk of Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, GERD, in women.

The association between obesity and GERD was discovered by a research group led by Dr. Corazziari from the University ¡°La Sapienza¡± of Rome.

GERD is a disease with chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. One of the major symptoms of the disease is heartburn – burning discomfort behind the breastbone- because the gastric acid gets into esophagus.

Previous studies have shown that fatty foods produce a prolonged inhibitory effect on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), particularly following intra-duodenal lipid perfusion, but this inhibitory effect would appear due to a cholecystokinin-mediated action on LES.

The current epidemiological study revealed that obesity, not excess fatty food intake, increases the risk of hospitalisation for GERD. Gastric distention following a copious meal also relaxes LER and increases the possibility of GERD.

Had these mechanisms play big roles in the patients studied, then the overweight male patients (not just female) should also have a significant higher possibility of GERD than general population.

Since oestrogen can also inhibit the LES, Dr. Corazziari suggested that concentration of this hormone may be a possible explanation of increased GERD prevalence in obese females.

The study is published in the Sept. 14 issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology. (ANI)

Tags:obesity