[Relationship of asthma to gastroesophageal reflux]

A relationship between asthma and gastro-oesophegal reflux (RGO) has been suspected for a long time but never proved. Many studies have shown improvement of asthma by treatment of RGO. The predictive factors of this improvement are unknown. After a short description of the epidemiology of RGO, in general and asthmatic populations, the mechanisms that link the two pathologies have been evaluated, the first consideration being the relationship between bronchial reactivity and RGO, to suggest a practical procedure for asthmatics, with regard to RGO. For therapy, inhibitors of the proton pump arise naturally.