Association between Dietary Fat Intake and Odds of Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD) in Iranian Adults

BACKGROUND: Most information on the association of dietary fat intake and gastro-esophageal reflux disorder (GERD) came from developed countries, where lifestyle and other dietary components might be different from those in developing countries. This cross-sectional study was, therefore, conducted to investigate the association between dietary fat intake and odds of having GERD in a large group of Iranian population. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was done among 3362 adult population in Isfahan, Iran. Dietary intakes were collected by the use of a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. METHODS: Assessment of GERD was done using a validated self-administered questionnaire examining the frequency of heartburn in the last 3 months. Individuals with the presence of heartburn symptoms sometimes, often or always during the last 3 months were defined as having GERD. RESULTS: Participants in the top category of dietary fat intake had higher daily intakes of energy, macronutrients and micronutrients. Dietary intakes of all food groups were also significantly higher among those in the top quintile as compared with those in the bottom category of dietary fat intake (P < 0.001 for all). There were no significant associations between dietary fat intake and incidence of GERD in general population. Crude and multivariable-adjusted models revealed no significant associations between dietary fat intake and having GERD in either gender. CONCLUSIONS: We found no significant association between dietary fat intake and odds of having GERD in this population. Further studies, in particular of prospective designs, are warranted to clarify this association.