Key result
Obesity linked to ~142% higher odds of gastrointestinal disorders in patients with established CVD.
Why the study?
Obesity and insulin resistance frequently coexist with cardiovascular disease and may contribute to gastrointestinal morbidity, but their relationship with gastrointestinal disorders in this population needed evaluation.
Cross-Sectional (n=216)
No
Gastrointestinal disorders are highly prevalent among patients with established cardiovascular disease and are significantly associated with obesity and insulin resistance, highlighting the need for comprehensive cardiometabolic evaluation.
May link obesity/IR to GI symptoms in CVD patients; leaves open causality and clinical relevance pending prospective data.
BackgroundObesity and insulin resistance (IR) are major cardiometabolic abnormalities that frequently coexist with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and may contribute to gastrointestinal (GI) morbidity. ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to determine the relationship between obesity, insulin resistance, and gastrointestinal disorders, including gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, dyspepsia, abdominal bloating, constipation, diarrhea/irritable bowel symptoms, fatty liver disease, and gallstones, among adult patients with established cardiovascular disease. MethodologyThis cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at the Department of Gastroenterology of Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, from June 2025 to December 2025, among 216 adult patients with established cardiovascular disease.Cardiovascular disease was confirmed from documented medical records and previous cardiology evaluation, including a history of coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, angina, percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass grafting, or ischemic heart failure.Where available, the diagnosis was supported by relevant investigations such as electrocardiography, echocardiography, cardiac biomarkers, and coronary angiography.Demographic data, cardiovascular history, anthropometric measurements, laboratory parameters, and gastrointestinal symptoms were recorded using a structured proforma. ResultsThe mean age of patients was 56.8 ± 10.9 years, and 130 (60.2%) were men.Obesity was present in 132 (61.1%) patients, central obesity in 145 (67.1%), and insulin resistance in 142 (65.7%).Overall, gastrointestinal disorders were present in 128 (59.3%) patients.The most common gastrointestinal complaints were gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, 72 (33.3%); dyspepsia, 64 (29.6%); fatty liver, 61 (28.2%); and abdominal bloating, 58 (26.9%).Patients with gastrointestinal disorders had significantly higher body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values compared to those without gastrointestinal disorders (p < 0.001). ConclusionGastrointestinal disorders were common among adult patients with established cardiovascular disease and were significantly associated with obesity and insulin resistance.
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Moqeet et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Established cardiovascular disease (n=216). Obesity vs. Non-obese patients was evaluated on Gastrointestinal disorders (AOR 2.42, 95% CI 1.33-4.39, p=0.004). Obesity independently predicted the presence of gastrointestinal disorders in adult patients with established cardiovascular disease, increasing the odds by 2.42 times.
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