Şeyma YAVUZ, Özlem Gül UTKU, Aşkın GÜNGÜNEŞ, Nermin Dindar BADEM, Bilal ERGÜL, Dilek OĞUZ
Intercontinental Journal of Internal Medicine - 2026;4(3):65-71
Aims: Central obesity associated with visceral adiposity is considered to increase reflux symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the effects of anthropometric and visceral fat-related measurements on reflux symptoms in non-obese patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and a body-mass index (BMI)<30 kg/m2. Methods: The study included 120 non-obese patients with dyspeptic complaints, BMI<30, and GERD diagnosed according to the Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (FSSG), and 50 non-obese controls with BMI<30 kg/m2, no dyspeptic complaints, and no GERD according to the FSSG. Demographic data and extraesophageal symptoms were assessed using a questionnaire. Serum biochemical findings were recorded. Body composition and anthropometric measurements were evaluated using bioelectrical impedance analysis (TANITA). Results: Significant differences were found between the GERD and healthy control groups in waist circumference, BMI, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), body fat percentage, fat mass, total body water (TBW), metabolic age, visceral fat, obesity grade, reflux score, acid reflux score, and total FSSG score (p<0.05). Sore throat, apnea, and teeth grinding also differed significantly between the groups (p<0.05). In the patient group, acid reflux scores were positively correlated with BMI (r=0.298, p=0.001), LDL (r=0.387, p<0.001), and visceral fat (r=0.180, p=0.049), and negatively correlated with TBW (r=-0.273, p<0.003). Conclusion: Reflux symptom frequency and severity are closely associated with body fat composition in non-obese as well as obese patients. Increased abdominal and visceral fat may increase GERD risk independently of obesity.
