title: The pulmonary side of reflux disease: from heartburn to lung fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorder in the USA. Heartburn is the symptom most commonly associated with this disease, and the highly commercialized medical treatment directed toward relief of this symptom represents a 10-billion-dollar-per-year industry.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unfortunately, there is often little awareness that GERD can be potentially a lethal disease as it can cause esophageal cancer. Furthermore, there is even less awareness about the relationship between GERD and respiratory disorders with the potential for severe morbidity and even mortality.
authors.affiliation: Center for Esophageal Diseases, Department of Surgery, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
authors.forename: Marco E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Allaix
authors.forename: P Marco
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Fisichella
authors.forename: Imre
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Noth
authors.forename: Bernardino M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Mendez
authors.forename: Marco G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Patti
mesh_terms: D004941:Esophagitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006551:Hernia, Hiatal / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D054990:Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015994:Incidence; D015995:Prevalence