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Review article: gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Author(s) -
Broers C.,
Tack J.,
Pauwels A.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1111/apt.14416
Subject(s) - medicine , reflux , asthma , gastro , pulmonary disease , disease , gastroenterology , gerd , respiratory disease , intensive care medicine , lung
Summary Background When gastro‐oesophageal reflux is causing symptoms or lesions in the oesophagus, this is referred to as gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease ( GERD ). GERD can manifest itself through typical symptoms (heartburn, regurgitation) or may lead to extra‐oesophageal symptoms. Extra‐oesophageal manifestations of GERD gained increasing attention over the last decade, especially respiratory disorders, because of the prevalent co‐occurrence with GERD . The role of GERD in the pathogenesis of respiratory disorders has become a topic of intense discussion. Aim To provide an overview of the current knowledge on the role of GERD in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ). Methods PubMed was searched for relevant articles using the keywords: GERD , asthma, COPD , prevalence, treatment. Case reports were excluded, only English language articles were considered. Results Estimates for the prevalence of GERD in asthma range from 30% to 90%, compared to an average of 24% in controls. In COPD patients, the prevalence of GERD ranges from 19% to 78% compared to an average of 18% in controls. These data indicate an increased prevalence of GERD in patients with asthma and COPD , although causality is not established and GERD treatment yielded inconsistent effects. Literature supports GERD as a risk factor for COPD ‐exacerbations and a predictor of the ‘frequent‐exacerbator’–phenotype. Conclusions Despite the high prevalence of GERD in asthma and COPD , a causal link is lacking. The results of anti‐reflux therapy on pulmonary outcome are inconsistent and contradictory. Future studies will need to identify subgroups of asthmatics and COPD patients that may benefit from anti‐reflux therapy (nocturnal or silent reflux).