Visceral fat thickness of erosive and non-erosive reflux disease subjects in Indonesia's tertiary referral hospital

Background: There has been an increasing number of reports regarding the correlation between obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Visceral fat thickness is thought to be a risk factor for GERD and its severity. Several studies have conflicting results, so this study aimed to determine visceral fat thickness difference between erosive and non-erosive reflux disease. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 56 adult subjects with GERD symptoms was held at Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital between April and November 2018. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaires (GERDQ)were utilized to determine the presence of GERD. Ultrasonography was used to determine visceral fat thickness. Esophageal erosions were diagnosed using upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The difference in visceral fat thickness between esophagitis and non-esophagitis group was analysed using T-test. Results: From 56 total subjects, 55.4% have erosive reflux disease (ERD), in which were dominated by subjects with grade A esophagitis (64.5%)based on Los Angeles Classification of Esophagitis (LA classifications). There was no significant difference of visceral fat thickness between non-erosive reflux disease (NERD)and ERD (p = 0,831). There was, however, an increasing trend of visceral fat thickness with the advancing severity of esophagitis, although statistical significance was not reached. Conclusion: Visceral fat thickness as measured by ultrasonography has no significant difference between NERD and ERD.