Association between reflux esophagitis and pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

A discernible correlation exists between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the precise nature of the association between reflux esophagitis (RE) and COPD remains inadequately understood. In this study, we investigated the link between RE and pulmonary function, with a specific emphasis on elucidating the interplay between RE and COPD regarding lung function.

The study cohort comprised patients who underwent both pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and endoscopic examinations within a one-year period preceding and following their PFTs at The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from April 2021 to October 2023. Key demographic variables including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), as well as results from PFTs and endoscopy, were systematically documented for each participant. Statistical evaluations were conducted utilizing SPSS Statistics version 29.0, with significance determined at a threshold of P<0.05.

Among patients with COPD, there were notable distinctions between cohorts categorized into RE and non-RE groups concerning several pulmonary function parameters, including forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF75/25), and expiratory reserve volume (ERV). Furthermore, there were statistically significant disparities observed in peak expiratory flow (PEF). Overall, RE did not exhibit an association with COPD severity, and there was no notable correlation found between the COPD severity and RE.

RE has been identified as a factor contributing to diminished pulmonary function in both individuals without underlying respiratory conditions and those diagnosed with COPD. Nevertheless, an absence of interaction was observed between the severity of COPD and the presence of RE.