Acid Reflux Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Acid Reflux, including details on diet, gerd (gastro-esophageal reflux disease), treatment, symptoms.

Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux in difficult asthma: relationship to asthma outcome.

Leggett JJ, Johnston BT, Mills M, Gamble J, Heaney LG

Regional Respiratory Centre, Level 8, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Rd, Belfast, BT97AB, UK.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-both symptoms and objective evidence-using 24-h dual-probe pH monitoring in difficult asthma, and the relationship between the presence and treatment of GERD to clinical outcome. DESIGN AND SETTING: As part of a systematic evaluation protocol, 68 subjects with difficult-to-control asthma attending a difficult asthma clinic were referred for dual-probe ambulatory pH esophageal monitoring. RESULTS: Esophageal probe data were available in 52 patients (76%) with difficult asthma. The prevalence of GERD/GERD-associated asthma symptoms was 75% (39 of 52 patients; 95% confidence interval [CI], 63 to 84.7%). The prevalence of GERD as evidenced by an abnormal pH profile at the distal esophageal probe was 55% (29 of 52 patients; 95% CI, 40 to 69%). The prevalence of GERD at the proximal probe was 34.6% (18 of 52 patients; 95% CI, 23.6 to 51%). The prevalence of GERD was similar in asthmatic subjects who responded to intervention and those who remained difficult to control (therapy resistant). Asymptomatic GERD was present in 9.6% (5 of 52 patients); 16% of cough episodes correlated with acid reflux. CONCLUSIONS: In difficult-to-control asthma, GERD is common, but identification and treatment of GERD do not appear to relate to improvement in asthma control in this population.

Published 11 April 2005 in Chest, 127(4): 1227-31.
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