[Respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms in 7-10 year old children in Reykjavík, Iceland].
Asthma and rhinitis are common diseases in children often but not always caused by allergy. Gastroesophageal reflux is also prevalent in children and relationship with respiratory symptoms has been suggested. The aim of this study was to investigate this relationship in schoolchildren.



As a part of multi-centre cross-sectional food allergy study (Europrevall), a short questionnaire was sent out to 2895 schoolchildren in Reykjavik 7-10 year old. Of the 2346 (81%) children we received answers from we selected those that answered positively to questions regarding common foods and a random sample of those who denied any symptoms related to food. The selected children were invited to further study where they answered an extensive questionnaire that included questions regarding respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms.



A significant correlation was found between a history of wheezing over the previous year and vomiting, (p<0.001) and feeling nauseous (p<0.001) in the past 6 months. There was also a correlation between asthma in the previous year and feeling nauseous (p<0.05), having a a burning or painful feeling in the middle of the chest (p<0.001) as well as nasal symptoms and vomiting (p<0.01), feeling nauseous (p<0.01), having a burning or painful feeling in the middle of the chest (p<0.01) and having a sour taste, like a taste of vomit in the mouth (p<0.001).



This study shows a significant correlation between symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux and respiratory and nasal symptoms. Clinicians should be aware of this association though the nature and direction of this association is still unclear.
Michael
M
Clausen
Thorarinn
T
Gislason
Svala
S
Adalsteinsdottir
Davíð
D
Gislason
D000367:Age Factors; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006356:Heartburn / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009325:Nausea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014839:Vomiting / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology