Asthma and overweight are associated with symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux

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Ketil Størdal1, Groa B Johannesdottir, Beint S Bentsen

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Sykehuset Østfold Fredrikstad, Fredrikstad, Norway. ketil.stoerdal@c2i.net

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|September 20, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Children with asthma and overweight children show increased gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms. These conditions independently predict GERD, with overweight not explaining the higher GERD frequency in asthma.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition.
  • Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease affecting children.
  • The relationship between GERD symptoms, asthma, and overweight in children requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of GERD symptoms in asthmatic children compared to non-asthmatic controls.
  • To assess the association between GERD symptoms and overweight in children.
  • To investigate the independent contributions of asthma and overweight to GERD symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • A questionnaire-based assessment of GERD symptoms was conducted in 872 asthmatic children and 264 non-asthmatic controls.
  • A reflux symptom score was calculated for each child.
  • The association between GERD symptoms and overweight (BMI > 25) was analyzed, controlling for age.

Main Results:

  • 19.7% of asthmatic children reported GERD symptoms versus 8.5% of controls (OR 2.6).
  • Overweight children had a higher prevalence of GERD symptoms (OR 1.8).
  • Both asthma and overweight were independent predictors of GERD symptoms, even when analyzed together.

Conclusions:

  • The prevalence of GERD symptoms is elevated in children with asthma and in overweight children.
  • Overweight does not account for the increased GERD symptoms observed in asthmatic children.
  • Asthma and overweight are independently associated with GERD symptoms in the pediatric population.
Abstract

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