USC researchers find link between GERD, obesity

LOS ANGELES Researchers at the University of Southern California determined that obesity is a contributing factor in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD, according to a Los Angeles Times report published Aug. 13.

"Everyone knows that blood pressure and cholesterol levels are related to obesity, but the strength of the relationship with GERD is every bit as strong or perhaps even stronger," the authors of the study, Shahin Ayazi and Peter Crookes, told the Times.

The study is published in this month's issue of the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.