Association between skeletal muscle attenuation and gastroesophageal reflux disease: A health check-up cohort study

Sarcopenia is defined as skeletal muscle attenuation and has an association with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome, which includes obesity, is one of known predictive factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This study aimed to elucidate the association between sarcopenia and GERD. We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records of 8,218 patients who were performed an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at check-up center of the Gangnam Severance Hospital. GERD was diagnosed by endoscopic findings. Erosive reflux disease (ERD) included Barrett's esophagus and reflux esophagitis, with the exception of minimal change esophagitis. Sarcopenia was defined by appendicular skeletal muscle (skeletal muscle in the upper and lower limbs). Sarcopenic obesity was defined as the presence of both sarcopenia and obesity. Associations between sarcopenia and GERD, as well as between sarcopenic obesity and ERD, were analyzed. A total of 3,414 patients were diagnosed with GERD, and 574 (16.8%) had sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was independent predictive factor for GERD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.170, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.016–1.346, P = 0.029). In addition, male sex, smoking, alcohol, and diet, including sweets and fatty food, had a significant association with GERD. A total of 1,423 (17.3%) of 8,218 patients were diagnosed with ERD, and 302 (21.2%) had sarcopenia. Male sex, smoking, and fatty food consumption had a significant association with ERD. Moreover, sarcopenia (OR = 1.215, 95% CI: 1.019–1.449, P = 0.030), obesity (OR = 1.343, 95% CI: 1.163–1.552, P < 0.001), and sarcopenic obesity (OR = 1.406, 95% CI: 1.195–1.654, P < 0.001) were independent predictive factors for ERD. Sarcopenia is associated with GERD, and sarcopenic obesity may be predictive factor for ERD.