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Frequency of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Obese Patients Presenting to Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan

Dilaram Khan

Cureus, 2025

282 participants · 1 citation

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a serious health issue that affects millions of people worldwide and is associated with a number of comorbid conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease. The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease increases with an increase in body mass index; thus, obese patients are at a high risk of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease. The main aim of this study was to determine the frequency of gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with obesity. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the Gastroenterology Department of Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan, from June 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. All obese patients (body mass index >30 kg/m2), aged 18-60 years of either sex, with heartburns with or without regurgitation at least three times weekly were included in the study, while patients with a history of esophageal surgery and those with achalasia, scleroderma, esophageal stricture, and esophageal malignancy were excluded from the study. Results: Among the total 282 obese patients, the majority (53.2%) were women. The mean age was 42.56 years with a standard deviation of 11.4 years. Most of the patients (168, 59.6%) were in the age range of 41-60 years. Seventy-three (25.8%) participants were having gastroesophageal reflux disease. Conclusion: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is quite common in obese patients. In particular, obese patients with a sedentary or sitting nature of job, older age, high…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 282 participants or records.

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