TY - JOUR T1 - Nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux, asthma and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea: a longitudinal, general population study JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J DO - 10.1183/09031936.00052512 SP - erj00525-2012 AU - Össur Ingi Emilsson AU - Anna Bengtsson AU - Karl A. Franklin AU - Kjell Torén AU - Bryndís Benediktsdóttir AU - Amir Farkhooy AU - Joost Weyler AU - Sandra Dom AU - Wilfried De Backer AU - Thorarinn Gislason AU - Christer Janson Y1 - 2012/01/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2012/09/27/09031936.00052512.abstract N2 - Nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux (nGER) is associated with asthma and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Our aim was to investigate whether nGER is a risk factor for onset of asthma and onset of respiratory and OSA symptoms in a prospective population based study.We invited 2640 subjects from Iceland, Sweden and Belgium for two evaluations over a nine years interval. They participated in structured interviews, answered questionnaires, underwent spirometries and methacholine challenge testing. nGER was defined by reported symptoms.Subjects with persistent nGER (n=123) had an independent increased risk of new asthma at follow-up [OR (95% CI): 2.3 (1.1–4.9)]. Persistent nGER was independently related to onset of respiratory symptoms [OR (95% CI): 3.0 (1.6–5.6)]. The risk of developing symptoms of OSA was increased in subjects with new and persistent nGER [OR (95% CI): 2.2 (1.3–1.6) and 2.0 (1.0–3.7), respectively]. No significant association was found between nGER and lung function or bronchial responsiveness.Persistent symptoms of nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux contributes to the development of asthma and respiratory symptoms. New onset of OSA symptoms is higher among subjects with symptoms of nGER. These findings support that nGER may play a role in the genesis of respiratory symptoms and diseases. ER -