Reflux disease, gastrointestinal ulcer or weight loss in patients with COPD

Peptic ulcer disease, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and weight loss have been associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Many studies, especially on peptic ulcer and weight loss, are cross-sectional or were done back in the 1960s or 1970s. Our purpose was to learn more about GORD, ulcer, and weight loss in relation to COPD during long-term follow-up in recent years. We conducted a case-control and a follow-up study using the UK-based General Practice Research Database to assess and compare the prevalence and incidence of GORD, peptic ulcer and weight loss in patients with COPD and in COPD-free patients during the period 1995-2005. We identified 35,772 patients with COPD and the same number of COPD-free patients. Incidence rates of GORD, peptic ulcer and weight loss in COPD patients were 59.2, 14.8 and 134.0 per 10,000 person years, respectively. The risk of weight loss was increased in patients with COPD compared to COPD-free patients (1.81, 95% CI 1.61-2.02), while the risk of GORD (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.00-1.40) or peptic ulcer (OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.92-1.66) were similar in both groups. The results provide further evidence that COPD is associated with weight loss, while there is no materially increased risk for ulcer or GORD associated with COPD.