Association of upper and lower gastrointestinal tract symptoms with body mass index in an Australian cohort

Abstract

Food modulates gastrointestinal (GI) function and GI symptoms could alter food intake, but it is not established whether or not obese people experience more or less GI symptoms. We aimed at evaluating the association between body mass index (BMI) and specific GI symptoms in the community. Population-based random samples from Sydney, Australia (n = 777) completed a validated questionnaire. The association of each GI symptom with BMI (kg m(-2)) categories was assessed using logistic regression analysis adjusting for potential confounders. The prevalence of obesity (BMI > or =30 kg m(-2)) was 22%. There were univariate associations (adjusting for age, sex, education level, alcohol and smoking) between increased BMI category and heartburn (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.4, 2.5), acid regurgitation (OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.4, 2.9), increased bloating (OR = 1.3, 95%CI 1.1, 1.6), increased stool frequency (OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.1, 1.7), loose and watery stools (OR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.1, 2.0) and upper abdominal pain (OR = 1.3, 95% CI 1.03, 1.6). Early satiety was associated with a lower BMI category but this was not significant after adjustment (OR = 0.8, 95% CI 0.6, 1.1). Lower abdominal pain, postprandial fullness, nausea and vomiting were not associated with BMI category. In a regression model adjusting for sex, education, smoking, alcohol and all GI symptoms, older age, less early satiety and increased stool frequency and heartburn were all independently associated with increasing BMI (all P < 0.01). Heartburn and diarrhoea were associated with increased BMI, while early satiety was associated with a lower BMI in this population.

Aspirin, Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, and the Risks of Cancers of the Esophagus

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Prevalence of functional constipation and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome in Indian patients with constipation

“…21 In 2008, Pourhoseingholi et al conducted a cross-sectional study in Tehran province where 40% of FC patients were overweight and 20% were obese, indicating a clear association between obesity and FC; however Zhao et al, in 2011 found a negative correlation between high BMI and FC and few studies reported no significant relationship between BMI and FC. [22][23][24] In 2013, Farzaneh et al evaluated the effects of demographic factors, BMI, alcohol drinking and smoking habits in 153 IBS patients against 163 non-IBS patients at Taleghani Hospital Gastroenterology Clinic at Tehran. The authors found no association between BMI and IBS in males but a significant association was seen among BMI <25 and female gender.…”

Interactions among Smoking, Obesity, and Symptoms of Acid Reflux in Barrett's Esophagus

“…Obesity has been shown to be a determinant of acid reflux (24)(25)(26) and has also been linked with esophageal adenocarcinoma (13,27). In that context, our observation of modestly higher prevalence of obesity among Barrett's esophagus patients is perhaps not surprising.…”