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Gastrointestinal symptoms and obesity: a meta‐analysis
Author(s) -
Eslick G. D.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
obesity reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.845
H-Index - 162
eISSN - 1467-789X
pISSN - 1467-7881
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-789x.2011.00969.x
Subject(s) - medicine , heartburn , odds ratio , constipation , abdominal pain , bloating , body mass index , confidence interval , vomiting , obesity , overweight , nausea , weight loss , gastroenterology , disease , reflux
Summary Weight loss is a recognized alarm symptom for organic gastrointestinal (GI) disease, yet the association between obesity and specific GI symptoms remains poorly described. A meta‐analysis was conducted to determine which GI symptoms predominate among obese individuals. A search of the literature using the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE PubMed and Current Contents (1950 – November 2011) was conducted. All studies assessing GI symptoms and increasing body mass index (BMI)/obesity were included. English and non‐English articles were searched. A random effect model of the studies was undertaken. Overall, significant associations between GI symptoms and increasing BMI were found for upper abdominal pain (odds ratio [OR] = 2.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23–5.72), gastroesophageal reflux (OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.70–2.09), diarrhoea (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.26–1.64), chest pain/heartburn (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.49–2.04), vomiting (OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.28–2.41), retching (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.01–1.74) and incomplete evacuation (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.03–1.71). However, no significant associations were found for all abdominal pain, lower abdominal pain, bloating, constipation/hard stools, fecal incontinence, nausea and anal blockage. Several key GI symptoms are associated with increasing BMI and obesity. In addition, there were a number of other GI symptoms that had no relationship with obesity. A greater knowledge of the GI symptoms associated with obesity along with the physiology will be important in the clinical management of these patients.