According to a cross-sectional study in Japan, visceral fat obesity appears to be an important risk factor in developing reflux erosive esophagitis among middle-age adults.

Investigators noted that the incidence of erosive esophagitis was higher among adults, 40 to 69 years of age, with visceral fat obesity, in comparison with those without obesity (61.2% vs 12.8%, respectively). Additionally, adults with visceral fat obesity had over two-fold greater likelihood of developing the condition (OR 2.18). Other significant risk factors for erosive esophagitis included gastric atrophy absence or closed-type and high level of alcohol consumption in a day. The findings are published in the journal Esophagus… (Medpage Today)