SYMPTOMS OF GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE IN BARIATRIC PATIENTS

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of bariatric surgery on the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Material and methods: The study involved 104 patients with obesity who were eligible for sleeve gastrectomy (SG). It was a prospective study. The GERD Impact Scale (GIS) was used to assess the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and their impact on patients' daily functioning both before and three months after bariatric surgery. Patients completed the survey forms themselves before the procedure, and agreed to be re-surveyed three months after the surgery, by telephone. Results: The study involved 104 people aged between 18 and 62 (mean age 40.34). After SG, the study group showed a statistically significant reduction in body weight (p < 0.001) and BMI (p < 0.001). Based on the mean GIS scores, it was found that the surgery had a statistically significant (p < 0.05) effect on reducing the incidence of reflux symptoms compared to the preoperative period. Among all patients who presented symptoms before surgery, 13.4% experienced complete resolution of symptoms postoperatively. Conversely, 7 out of 22 asymptomatic patients developed GERD symptoms after bariatric surgery. Conclusions: The results obtained using the GIS demonstrated that three months after bariatric surgery, there was a significant reduction in the frequency of GERD symptoms. At the same time, a small group of previously asymptomatic patients developed GERD symptoms following SG.