METABOLIC SYNDROME IS A SPECIFIC PATHOMORPHOLOGY OF THE GASTRIC MUCOSA IN “OBESITY”.

Abstract

 Metabolic syndrome, characterized by obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, is increasingly recognized as a systemic condition with distinct organ-specific pathological changes, particularly in the gastric mucosa. This article investigates the specific pathomorphological alterations of the gastric mucosa in obese individuals with metabolic syndrome, focusing on histological and molecular features, their association with clinical parameters, and implications for gastrointestinal complications. The study analyzes gastric biopsy samples from 200 obese patients (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) with metabolic syndrome, identifying chronic gastritis in 80%, intestinal metaplasia in 35%, and Helicobacter pylori infection in 50%. Globally, metabolic syndrome affects 25% of adults, with obesity prevalence reaching 39% in high-income countries and 30% in low- and middle-income countries, contributing to 2.8 million annual deaths from related complications. Risk factors, including visceral obesity (OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 2.1–4.9), insulin resistance (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.8–4.3), and high-fat diet (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.6–3.9), were present in 85% of cases. This study aims to enhance understanding of obesity-related gastrointestinal pathology, inform targeted interventions, and reduce the global burden of gastric diseases.