Aerophagia and gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients using continuous positive airway pressure: a preliminary observation.
OBJECTIVE
Aerophagia is a complication of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for sleep disordered breathing (SDB), whereupon air is forced into the stomach and bowel. Associated discomfort can result in CPAP discontinuation. We hypothesize that aerophagia is associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) via mechanisms involving GERD related lower esophageal sphincter (LES) compromise.


METHODS
Twenty-two subjects with aerophagia and 22 controls, matched for age, gender, and body mass index, who were being treated with CPAP for SDB were compared in regard to clinical aspects of GERD, GERD associated habits, SDB severity as measured by polysomnography, and mean CPAP pressure.


RESULTS
More subjects with aerophagia had symptoms of GERD (77.3% vs. 36.4%; p < 0.01) and were on GERD related medications (45.5% vs. 18.2%, p < 0.05) than controls. Regarding polysomnography, mean oxygen saturation percentages were lower in the aerophagia group than controls (95.0% vs. 96.5%, p < 0.05). No other differences were observed, including mean CPAP pressures. No one in the aerophagia group (vs. 27.3% of the control group) was a current tobacco user (p < 0.01). There was no difference in caffeine or alcohol use between the 2 groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These results imply aerophagia is associated with GERD symptoms and GERD related medication use. This finding suggests a relationship between GERD related LES pathophysiology and the development of aerophagia in patients with SDB treated with CPAP.
Watson
Nathaniel F
NF
Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. nwatson@u.washington.edu
Mystkowski
Sue K
SK
D000328:Adult; D000334:Aerophagy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017286:Polysomnography; D012307:Risk Factors; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology