title: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a risk factor for severity of organizing pneumonia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The link between organizing pneumonia (OP) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is not well known. There is little evidence in the literature to establish a causal link between GERD and OP.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to assess the hypothesis that OP is more severe when it is associated with GERD and that it leads to more frequent relapses.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective study on 44 patients suffering from OP, we compared the clinical, radiological and histological characteristics of 2 groups, 1 composed of patients with GERD (n = 20) and the other of patients without GERD (n = 24).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The GERD group was distinguished by a higher number of patients with migratory alveolar opacities on chest radiography and thoracic computerized tomography (14/20 vs. 9/24; p = 0.03 and 18/20 vs. 13/24; p = 0.01), greater hypoxemia [60 (42-80) vs. 70 (51-112) mm Hg; p = 0.03], greater bronchoalveolar lavage cellularity [0.255 (0.1-1.8) vs. 0.150 (0.05-0.4) g/l; p = 0.035] and more frequent relapses (14/20 vs. 9/24; p = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  OP associated with GERD is more severe and results in more frequent relapses. Microinhalation of gastric secretions might induce lung inflammation leading to OP and relapse. We suggest that typical symptoms of GERD such as pyrosis should be investigated in OP.
authors: Services de Pneumologie et explorations fonctionnelles respiratoires, Tours, France.
authors: Geoffrey
authors: G
authors: Gaillet
authors: Olivier
authors: O
authors: Favelle
authors: Laurent
authors: L
authors: Guilleminault
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: de Muret
authors: Etienne
authors: E
authors: Lemarie
authors: Thierry
authors: T
authors: Lecomte
authors: Sylvain
authors: S
authors: Marchand-Adam
authors: Patrice
authors: P
authors: Diot
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018549:Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors