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Gastroesophageal reflux disease and asthma: an intriguing dilemma
Author(s) -
Astarita C.,
Gargano D.,
Cutajar M.,
Napolitano A.,
Manguso F.,
Abbate G. F.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1034/j.1398-9995.2000.00508.x
Subject(s) - medicine , asthma , disease , reflux , pathophysiology , nerd , allergy , cough reflex , mechanism (biology) , respiratory disease , pulmonary aspiration , gastroenterology , gerd , immunology , reflex , lung , anesthesia , philosophy , epistemology
Background : Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is characterized by typical reflux symptoms and multiple atypical extraesophageal symptoms. Gastric asthma is a prominent extraesophageal manifestation of GORD. There is persistent debate about the pathophysiologic mechanisms triggering asthma by GOR. Methods : We conducted a review of the literature. Results : The pathogenic mechanism could be either a vagally transmitted reflex or an intratracheal aspiration of refluxed material. In both hypotheses, the role of inflammatory mediators has been proposed. Conclusions : Neurogenic inflammation is a good theoretic basis for a pathogenic interpretation of the disorder. In atopic patients, food allergy has been recently proposed as a possible cause of GOR and associated respiratory symptoms, and it should be considered in the diagnostic work‐up of all patients with GORD.