UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: GI Complications of Obesity in Critical Illness

Category: Critical Care

Posted: 5/3/2011 by Mike Winters, MBA, MD (Updated: 11/25/2024)
Click here to contact Mike Winters, MBA, MD

Gastrointestinal Changes of Obesity that Complicate Critical Illness

Obesity predisposes patients to several gastrointestinal abnormalities that can cause, or complicate, critical illness.
Important abnormalities to keep in mind when managing a critically ill obese patient include:
- Increased intra-abdominal pressure which predisposes to abdominal compartment syndrome
- Increased incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease which may lead to prolonged drug metabolism
- Increased incidence of cholelithiasis which may result in pancreatitis or cholangitis

Ashburn DD, Reed MJ. Gastrointestinal system and obesity. Crit Care Clin 2010;26:625-7.