News: GERD Increase With Obesity
In the latest news on ScienceDaily(20 Aug 2008), it reported that more Amercians are suffering from the risk of colorectal cancer and gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.
In fact, several scientific studies in the August issue of The American Journal of Gastroenterology examine the association between obesity and the risk of colorectal cancer and gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.
In the article, it highlights the relation between increasing body mass index (BMI) and the frequency and severity of acid reflux symptoms. It is found that accumulation of abdominal fat may be the important risk factor for the development of acid reflux and related complications such as Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Dr. Frank K. Friedenberg and colleagues from Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia provide an extensive overview of scientific research on the epidemiologic and pathophysiologic associations between obesity and GERD.
They studied on the data on the effects of weight loss through diet or surgical methods on acid reflux disease. Several studies suggest weight loss through caloric restriction was beneficial in reducing GERD symptoms. After comparing the different surgical approaches for weight loss, they found a surgical technique called “Roux-en-Y” gastric bypass seemed to be the best method, and was most consistently associated with improvement in the symptoms and findings of GERD.
“The mechanism of action through which this surgery is successful at improving GERD may be independent of weight loss and needs further examination,” said Dr. Friedenberg.
High BMI also increases the risk of colorectal adenomas – colorectal cancer. Researchers at the University of Tokyo and Kameda General Hospital in Japan examined the effect of body weight on the incidence of colorectal adenoma in 7,963 Japanese patients who underwent colonoscopy between 1991 and 2003. Patients who had a family history of colorectal cancer, colorectal polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal surgery or who took NSAIDS were excluded from the study.
Researchers found 20.7 percent of patients had at least one colorectal adenoma. Importantly, as the BMI increased, so did the prevalence of colorectal adenomas.
In conclusion, the magnitude of the obesity epidemic adds a staggering burden to our current health care system. All these studies point to the serious potential risks of GI disease for individuals who are overweight or obese. Thus, we must take steps to watch our diet and lose those extra pounds.
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