Abstract:
The gastro-esophageal reflux disease is the most common non-malignant disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract in the northern hemisphere. Its pathogenesis is multi-factorial and has multiple comorbidities. Obesity is a cofactor in the pathogenesis of reflux disease, too, currently much discussed, so we investigated this question in a prospective study. Data were compared with three collectives. In group I, healthy control patients were compared with reflux patients in group II and with obese patients (BMI> 35) in group III. There were the water-perfumed esophageal manometry, ambulatory 24-hour pH monitoring and impedance measurement for use as measuring methods. According to some authors the impedance measurement is a paradigm shift in the functional diagnosis. The gastro-oesophageal Refluat is generally devided into non-acidic and sour, and between liquid and vapor. The impedance measurement indicates the height of the migration levels of reflux episodes. The results of the stationary manometry showed significant differences between the pressure amplitudes in the proximal esophagus between group I and the patient groups (p <0.02). The sphincter pressure was significantly reduced in group II and III (p <0.001). The acid reflux was similar in both patient groups. Compared with the control group it was significantly abnormal (p <0.0001), but showed no differences among the groups of patients. The number of acid reflux episodes in upright and recumbent position was significantly increased (p <0.009) between the patient groups and control group. In comparison with the migration of reflux we could demonstrate a significantly highter number of acid reflux episodes in the patient groups II and III compared to the control group (p < 0.002).
In summary, our study confirmed that obesity is a risk factor to develop a gastro-esophageal reflux disease. The insufficiency of the lower esophageal sphincter in the patient groups compared with healthy people could be demonstrated significant by manometry. As expected, the number of reflux episodes was increased regardless of body position. The non-acid reflux is blamed for favoring the Barrett metaplasia of the distal esophagus, too. Because the number of non-acid reflux episodes in obese patients with reflux in this study is small, our data suggests obese with reflux have a lower risk of Barrett esophagus, to finally develop a Barrett carcinoma, than average weight and reflux patients.