Cureus. 2026 Aug 31;18(8):e115506. doi: 10.7759/cureus.115506. eCollection 2026 Aug.
ABSTRACT
Background Obesity and insulin resistance (IR) are major cardiometabolic abnormalities that frequently coexist with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and may contribute to gastrointestinal (GI) morbidity. Objective The 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. Methodology This 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. Results The 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). Conclusion Gastrointestinal disorders were common among adult patients with established cardiovascular disease and were significantly associated with obesity and insulin resistance.
PMID:42819509 | PMC:PMC13626030 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.115506