title: Gastroesophageal reflux and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A long term relationship.
abstract: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a dreaded disease of uncertain etiology and no available cure. It is still unclear if a causal relationship exists between gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) and IPF, but studies have shown an increased prevalence of acid reflux in patients with IPF. We describe a patient with achalasia and GER who went on to develop IPF. She underwent a rapidly worsening course punctuated by acute exacerbations of IPF, despite best efforts to manage the acid GER. We also reviewed the literature on the role of GER in the etiology and progression of IPF and the impact of antireflux measures on its course.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital and Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Karthik
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gnanapandithan
authors.affiliation: Departments of Medicine, Saint Vincent Hospital and the Reliant Medical Group, Worcester, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Joel H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Popkin
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Ramprakash
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Devadoss
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Division, Saint Vincent Hospital and the Reliant Medical Group, Worcester, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Martin
keywords: Acid reflux; Fundoplication; Gastroesophageal reflux; Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; Proton pump inhibitor; Pulmonary fibrosis