Association Between Erosive Esophagitis and the Anthropometric Index in the General Korean Population

Background: An association between obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been reported. However, previous studies have focused on obesity or central obesity.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of anthropometric index and endoscopic erosive esophagitis (EE) in health check-up of Koreans.

Study Design: Case-control study.

Methods: A total of 1,207 consecutive subjects (aged 40-80 years) during health checkup underwent upper endoscopy and bioelectrical impedance analysis. We collected anthropometric data by bioelectrical impedance analysis, which consisted of body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, muscle mass, and fat mass.

Results: Of 1,207 subjects who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (mean age, 50 55±9 years), 239 (19.8%) had endoscopic EE. In univariate analysis, the endoscopic EE group was more likely to be men and had higher BMI, muscle mass, and fat mass. The multivariate OR for endoscopic EE was 1.354 (95% confidence interval: 1.206-1.405) for muscle mass (P = 0.027). The prevalence of EE detected during health check-up was 19.8% in Koreans aged 40 years or older.

Conclusion: In the anthropometric data subgroup analysis, muscle mass, but not BMI, percent body fat, and fat mass, was associated with endoscopic EE. Based on anthropometric data subgroup analysis, BMI is not a risk factor of EE. High muscle mass is an independent risk factor of EE.