Metabolic syndrome and gastro-esophageal reflux: A link towards a growing interest in developed countries

Table 1 Waist circumference with ethnicity specific values

	WHO (1998)	EGIR (1999)	NCEP (2001)	IDF (2005)
Waist circumference	BMI > 30 and/or waist/hip comparison	Abdominal weight	Abdominal weight	Abdominal weight
	> 0.90 (men)	> 0.94 cm (men)	> 102 cm (men)	> 94 cm men
	> 0.85 (women)	> 0.80 cm (women)	> 88 cm (women)	> 80 cm (women)

BMI: body mass index.

Table 2 Body mass index and macronutrient intake in gastro-esophageal reflux disease patients¹

Parameters	Controls	Symptoms	P
BMI	26.4 ± 4.5	26.1 ± 2.7	< 0.88
Kcal/die	2015 ± 384	1782 ± 420	< 0.05
Lipids (%)	31.4 ± 3.2	33.9 ± 3.9	< 0.02
Proteins (%)	16.8 ± 1.6	17.1 ± 2.5	< 0.70
Glucids (%)	48.8 ± 5.1	52.1 ± 3.2	< 0.01
Fibers (g/die)	43.8 ± 12.7	26.2 ± 7.6	< 0.04

BMI: body mass index; ¹The experience of Gastroenterology Unit of the University of Foggia: The peculiarity of the study was that gastro-esophageal reflux disease diagnosis was supported by 24 h pH metry.