Publisher's Synopsis
As the world embraces itself to an epidemic of obesity, the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease is increasingly being recognized in clinics worldwide. At the moment there is no direct cause and effect relationship between obesity and gasrtoesophageal reflux disease. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is prevalent in both non obese and obese individuals. The Helseundersolkelsen I Nord-Trondelag survey (HUNT 2) has examined the relationship between obesity and oestrogen as risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. The study found that in males with a BMI greater than 35 kg/m2, a three fold increase in symptoms were noted as compared to normal weight men. The trend in females was a six fold increase in gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms as compared to normal weight females. The effect of hormone therapy in the female categorysuggested an effect modification. Studies on the effect of hiatus hernia and its impact on the acid pocket and gastroesophageal reflux disease are sparse. The prevalence of helicobacter in developing countries and its impact onmanagment of gastroesophageal reflux disease is yet to be clearly elucidated. A study was hence undertaken to put together the pieces of what we know of gastroesophageal reflux disease in the east coast of Kelantan Malaysia.
