Gastric asthma? No change in respiratory impedance during intraesophageal acidification in adult asthmatics.
BACKGROUND
In patients with asthma, gastroesophageal reflux (GER) has been shown to be a common finding, and a number of investigators have suggested that reflux may have a deleterious effect in asthma, either as a result of recurrent (micro)aspiration or by some form of a reflex mechanism.


OBJECTIVE
To measure changes in lung function in response to intraesophageal acid perfusion in asthmatics with GER.


METHODS
In 12 patients with bronchial asthma and complaints suggesting GER with increased reflux scores during 24-h intraesophageal pH monitoring, impedance measurements of the respiratory system using the technique of forced oscillations and spirometry were performed after intraesophageal acidification.


RESULTS
No statistically significant changes in FEV1 or in respiratory impedance were demonstrated after intraesophageal acid provocation.


CONCLUSIONS
No direct effect of intraesophageal acidification on bronchomotor tone was demonstrated in asthmatics with GER.
Wesseling
G
G
Department of Pulmonary Diseases, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Brummer
R J
RJ
Wouters
E F
EF
ten Velde
G P
GP
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009241:Ipratropium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000187:drug effects; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000187:drug effects; D013147:Spirometry
D009241:Ipratropium