PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - C. Casanova
AU  - J.S. Baudet
AU  - M. del Valle Velasco
AU  - J.M. Martin
AU  - A. Aguirre-Jaime
AU  - J. Pablo de Torres
AU  - B.R. Celli
TI  - Increased gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in patients with severe COPD
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.04.00107004
DP  - 2004 Jun 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 841--845
VI  - 23
IP  - 6
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/23/6/841.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/23/6/841.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2004 Jun 01; 23
AB  - The prevalence and clinical consequences of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are not well characterised. The present study prospectively studied 42 males with COPD (forced expiratory volume in one second % predicted: 35%, range 20–49) and 16 healthy volunteers of similar age without respiratory or gastro-oesophageal symptoms. The diagnosis of GERD was confirmed using oesophageal 24 h pH monitoring. In the current study group, reflux symptoms were measured using the Vigneri score, cough and dyspnoea with the modified Medical Research Council questionnaire, and pulmonary function with bronchodilator response and health status using St George's Respiratory Questionnaire. Pathological reflux was documented in 26 out of 42 patients (62%) and in three volunteers (19%). In patients with GERD, 15 patients (58%) did not report any reflux symptoms. There were no differences in symptoms, health status, bronchodilator treatment and pulmonary function test between patients with and without GERD. Oxygen desaturation coincided with episodes of increased oesophageal acidity in 40% of patients with GERD. Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have a high prevalence of asymptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux. The association between this reflux and oxygen desaturation deserves further attention. This work was supported by the Hospital Universitario La Candelaria, Tenerife, Spain.