Body mass index association with functional gastrointestinal disorders: differences between genders. Results from a study in a tertiary center

Abstract

Background: Obesity is considered as a risk factor for many functional gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of the study was to evaluate if functional digestive disorders are associated with specific body mass index groups and gender.

Methods: A total of 1074 patients (50.3 ± 16.5 years, 67 % females) filled out a standard Rome III questionnaire (79 % acceptance rate). The patients were assigned to five groups according to their body mass index: underweight (6 %), normal (49 %), overweight (28 %), obese (12 %), and morbidly obese (5 %). Data analysis was performed using multinomial logistic regression; subjects with the normal weight were the reference group.

Results: Patients presented specific demographic and clinical characteristics according to the weight groups. Underweight patients were younger (p < 0.001), and presented a female predominance (p = 0.006), dysphagia (p = 0.013) and soiling (p = 0.021). Overweight patients were older (p = 0.001), and reported more frequently globus (p = 0.001), regurgitation (p = 0.004), postprandial distress syndrome (p = 0.009). Obese patients reported more frequently regurgitation (p < 0.001). Morbid obese patients reported dyspepsia (p = 0.046). In patients, the odds of regurgitation increased with body mass index from underweight to obesity, but not when compared to morbid obesity. The probability of globus and regurgitation increased with body mass index and presented a steeper increase in females.

Conclusions: In patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders, globus and regurgitation are associated with body mass index, mainly in female patients.

Keywords: Functional gastrointestinal disorders; Gender; Globus; Morbid obesity; Regurgitation; Rome criteria.