title: Effect of short esophageal acidification on airway hyperreactivity.
abstract: The influence of short esophageal acidification on the bronchial reaction to methacholine was assessed by quantitative methacholine challenge tests after ingestion of orange-juice (pH 2.7). We studied 15 stable asthmatics and 10 hyperreactive nonasthmatics. After the acidic drink, airway hyperreactivity increased in 6 of the 15 asthmatics and 4 of the 10 hyperreactive nonasthmatics. For the groups as a whole, this response did not reach statistical significance in either group. Nevertheless, the finding that 40% of the patients responded to short esophageal acidification by an increase in airway hyperreactivity points out the importance of low esophageal pH values as a possible triggering factor of asthmatic attacks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Krankenhaus Lainz, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rauscher
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Popp
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ritschka
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D008688:Methacholine Compounds; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D008688:Methacholine Compounds; D016210:Methacholine Chloride