Gender Differences in the Time-Course Changes of Reflux Esophagitis in Japanese Patients

Abstract

Objective Obesity is related to an increased prevalence of reflux esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms. This study was performed to clarify the influence of gender on time-course changes in the rate of a high BMI and incidence of reflux esophagitis in Japanese subjects. Results A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a high BMI, milder degree of gastric mucosal atrophy and larger size of diaphragmatic hiatus were significant predictive factors for the presence of reflux esophagitis in both men and women. The number of male subjects with reflux esophagitis and a high BMI increased during the 10-year examination period. In contrast, the number of individuals with reflux esophagitis and a high BMI was not increased among women. For both men and women, the proportions of patients with a large diaphragmatic hiatus and mild gastric mucosal atrophy increased during the 10-year period. Conclusion The prevalence of reflux esophagitis in the female subjects remained constant over 10 years, different from that observed in the men. A lack of change in BMI may be an important factor accounting for the constant prevalence of reflux esophagitis in women.

Sex and Gender Differences in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

“…53 The percentage of subjects with large hiatal hernias and mild gastric mucosal atrophy were increased in both men and women during the 10-year period. 53 These results suggest that a lack of change in BMI might be a crucial factor for the constant prevalence of reflux esophagitis in Japanese women. 53 In terms of BE, the mean age of women with BE has been reported to be significantly higher than that of men with BE (65.5 ± 15.0 years vs 59.3 ± 13.8 years, P < 0.01) in a large cohort study performed in the Netherlands.…”

“…29 A recent Japanese study using 7670 study subjects (5166 men and 2504 women) who visited a medical center for health check-up has investigated gender differences related to chronological changes in BMI and the prevalence of reflux esophagitis. 53 Multiple logistic regression analysis has revealed that larger hiatal hernia, high BMI, mild gastric mucosal atrophy, and older age were significant positive predictive factors for the presence of reflux esophagitis in both men and women. 53 The number of men with reflux esophagitis and high BMI has increased during the 10-year examination period.…”

“…53 Multiple logistic regression analysis has revealed that larger hiatal hernia, high BMI, mild gastric mucosal atrophy, and older age were significant positive predictive factors for the presence of reflux esophagitis in both men and women. 53 The number of men with reflux esophagitis and high BMI has increased during the 10-year examination period. 53 However, the number of women with reflux esophagitis and high BMI has not increased.…”

“…53 The number of men with reflux esophagitis and high BMI has increased during the 10-year examination period. 53 However, the number of women with reflux esophagitis and high BMI has not increased. 53 The percentage of subjects with large hiatal hernias and mild gastric mucosal atrophy were increased in both men and women during the 10-year period.…”

“…53 However, the number of women with reflux esophagitis and high BMI has not increased. 53 The percentage of subjects with large hiatal hernias and mild gastric mucosal atrophy were increased in both men and women during the 10-year period. 53 These results suggest that a lack of change in BMI might be a crucial factor for the constant prevalence of reflux esophagitis in Japanese women.…”