Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) of obese patients

Background: Increased intraabdominal pressure, shortened length of lower esophageal sphincter (LES), transitory LES relaxation, and the increased incidence of hiatus hernia are well established in patients with morbid obesity. The aims of our study were 1. to determine the incidence of erosive reflux disease (ERD) in these patients, 2. to quantify the healing rate of obese GERD patients, and 3. to determine the incidence of esophageal motility disorders in different BMI (normal, overweight, obese, morbid obese) groups. Methods: 1. Healing study: 18 patients (male/female: 11/7, median age: 50.1; 28–74) were recru…