Background
The reports that obesity could be associated with upper gastrointestinal disorders such as gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, reflux esophagitis have not been consistent. Therefore, we studied the association between esophagogastroduodenoscopic (EGD) fi ndings and the related risk factors of obesity. Methods: The study subjects include 2,210 adults who visited the Health Promotion Center of one university hospital from January 2006 to December 2006. All subjects had standard physical measurements as well as resting blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, serum lipids, and gastroendoscopic examination. BMI was classifi ed into two groups (BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2, normal; BMI < 23 kg/m2, overweight or obese). The study subjects were classifi ed into four groups according to the EGD fi ndings; normal, gastritis, gastric or duodenal ulcer, refl ux esophagitis. Results: Mean BMI of gastritis, gastric or duodenal ulcer, and refl ux esophagitis groups were higher than normal group after adjusting age, sex, alcohol and smoking (P < 0.001). Gastritis risk (OR, 2.098; 95% CI, 1.195 to 3.682; P = 0.01), gastric or duodenal ulcer risk (OR, 2.562; 95% CI, 1.282 to 5.117; P = 0.008), and refl ux esophagitis risk (OR, 2.856; 95% CI, 1.522 to 5.360; P = 0.001) were signifi cantly higher in overweight and obesity group compare with normal weight group after adjusting age, sex, alcohol and smoking. Conclusion: We suggest that overweight or obesity is the risk factor of gastritis, gastric or duodenal ulcer, and reflux esophagitis.
