Background. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity are known risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is often found in patients with endocrine disorders, such as thyroid dysfunction and hypopituitarism. To clarify the relationship of endocrine disease with GERD, we investigated the symptoms of GERD in patients with various endocrine diseases. Methods. Patients with various endocrine disorders who visited Kyushu University Hospital were included. GERD symptoms were examined using a self-administered questionnaire, the frequency scale for the symptoms of GERD (FSSG). Metabolic parameters, including body-mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides, and values of endocrine function, including thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxin, cortisol, and insulin-like growth factor-1, were assessed. Results. A total of 111 consecutive patients were recruited for the study. Among these, 18 (16.2%) patients were considered to have GERD. Among the parameters, BMI ( ) and triglycerides ( ) showed a positive association and HDL-C ( ) showed an inverse association with the FSSG score. However, none of the endocrine values were associated with the FSSG score. Conclusion. Symptoms of GERD in patients with endocrine disorders might be attributed to MetS as comorbidity. 1. Introduction Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities defined as the presence of three or more of the following factors: abdominal obesity (increased waist circumference), elevated triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, high blood pressure, and high fasting plasma glucose levels [1]. MetS is a high risk factor for cardiovascular and other atherosclerotic diseases [2]. Obesity has been implicated in various gastrointestinal diseases, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The prevalence of GERD has been increasing worldwide [3], and adversely affects health-related quality of life [4]. Dyspepsia is usually defined as upper abdominal pain or retrosternal pain, discomfort, belching, abdominal bloating, nausea, or other symptoms considered to have arisen from the upper alimentary tract. Reflux symptoms (RS), such as heartburn and regurgitation, are regarded as typical symptoms of GERD. However, it is reported that other dyspeptic symptoms are also common in patients with nonerosive GERD [5, 6]. Therefore, GERD is also associated with dyspeptic manifestations other than RS. Dyspeptic symptoms that respond to
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