Shah, Sanaya

SummaryBackgroundObesity is associated with increased oesophageal acid exposure time (AET) in patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux (GER), and may decrease the effects of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).AimTo evaluate the effects of increased body mass on the ability of PPI therapy to decrease AET in patients with reflux symptoms.MethodsAcid exposure time profiles collected from adult patients using wireless pH‐metry while on or off PPI therapy was retrospectively reviewed. Patients were separated into five body mass index (BMI) categories as defined by the World Health Organization. A multivariable logistic regression evaluated the association between abnormal AET and BMI groups while controlling for age, gender and pH capsule placement methods.ResultsThe study group comprised 968 patients with 336 (34.7%) studied on a PPI and 632 (65.3%) studied off PPI therapy. AET (total greater than 5.3%) was found more frequently in the overweight (67%) and obese classes (74–80%) compared to those who were normal weight (40%) while off acid‐suppressing medications (P < 0.001). No significant differences were found between these groups when studied on acid‐suppressing medications, and the proportion of patients with abnormal AET across BMI classes was similar regardless of taking a PPI either once or twice daily.ConclusionsThis is the largest study to report on the relationship between BMI and oesophageal acid exposure time in patients with GER on and off PPI therapy. We conclude that obesity is related to increased acid exposure time, but with no significant difference in acid exposure time among different weight‐based groups when taking a once or twice‐daily PPI.