The association between body mass index and gastroesophageal reflux disease in the World Trade Center Health Program General Responder Cohort

Nikolina Icitovic, Lynn C. Onyebeke, Sylvan Wallenstein, Christopher R. Dasaro, Denise Harrison, Jieying Jiang, Julia R. Kaplan, Roberto G. Lucchini, Benjamin J. Luft, Jacqueline M. Moline, Lakshmi Pendem, Moshe Shapiro, Iris G. Udasin, Andrew C. Todd, Susan L. Teitelbaum

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: There is increasing concern about the obesity epidemic in the United States. Obesity is a potential risk factor for a number of chronic diseases, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This analysis examined whether body mass index (BMI) was associated with physician-diagnosed GERD in World Trade Center (WTC) general responders. Methods: 19,819 WTC general responders were included in the study. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to compare time to GERD diagnosis among three BMI groups (normal (<25 kg/m2), overweight (≥25 and <30 kg/m2), and obese (≥30 kg/m2)). Results: Among the responders, 43% were overweight and 42% were obese. The hazard ratio for normal versus overweight was 0.81 (95% Confidence Interval (CI), 0.75–0.88); normal versus obese 0.71 (95%CI, 0.66, 0.77); and overweight versus obese 0.88 (95%CI, 0.83–0.92). Conclusion: GERD diagnoses rates were higher in overweight and obese WTC responders. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:761–766, 2016.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)761-766
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican Journal of Industrial Medicine
Volume59
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Sep 2016

Keywords

  • 9/11
  • BMI
  • GERD
  • World Trade Center

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