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Association of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) with bronchial asthma
Indian Pediatrics
|October 1, 1995
Insights
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) was detected in 39% of children with asthma, correlating with nighttime symptoms. Bronchodilator therapy did not impact GER prevalence in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Gastroenterology
- Nuclear Medicine
Background:
- Bronchial asthma in children is a common condition.
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a potential contributing factor to respiratory symptoms in asthmatic patients.
- The link between GER and asthma exacerbations requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux in children with bronchial asthma.
- To determine the correlation between GER and nocturnal asthma symptoms.
- To assess the effect of bronchodilator therapy on GER in asthmatic children.
Main Methods:
- Eighty children diagnosed with bronchial asthma and ten healthy children (control group) were included.
- Radionuclide gastroesophagography (scintiscanning) was utilized to detect esophageal reflux.
- Asthma symptom patterns, particularly nocturnal exacerbations, were recorded.
Main Results:
- Esophageal reflux was identified in 39% of the asthmatic children.
- No reflux was observed in the control group subjects.
- A strong correlation was found between the presence of GER and nocturnal exacerbation of asthma symptoms.
- Bronchodilator therapy did not influence the prevalence of GER in the studied asthmatic children.
Conclusions:
- Gastroesophageal reflux is a common finding in children with bronchial asthma.
- GER may play a significant role in the nocturnal worsening of asthma symptoms.
- Current bronchodilator treatments do not appear to alter the incidence of GER in pediatric asthma.
Abstract:
Eighty children with bronchial asthma and ten control cases underwent radionuclide gastroesophagography for the detection of gastroesophageal reflux. Thirty nine per cent asthmatic children demonstrated esophageal reflux on scintiscanning. The ten control subjects had no reflux. The presence of reflux correlated strongly with the presence of nocturnal exacerbation of symptoms. Bronchodilator therapy did not affect the prevalence of GER in asthmatic children.