PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Össur I. 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
TI  - Nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux, asthma and symptoms of OSA: a longitudinal, general population study
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.00052512
DP  - 2013 Jun 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 1347--1354
VI  - 41
IP  - 6
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/41/6/1347.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/41/6/1347.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2013 Jun 01; 41
AB  - Nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux (nGOR) is associated with asthma and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Our aim was to investigate whether nGOR 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 9-year interval. They participated in structured interviews, answered questionnaires, and underwent spirometries and methacholine challenge testing. nGOR was defined by reported symptoms. Subjects with persistent nGOR (n=123) had an independent increased risk of new asthma at follow-up (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1–4.9). Persistent nGOR was independently related to onset of respiratory symptoms (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.6–5.6). The risk of developing symptoms of OSA was increased in subjects with new and persistent nGOR (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.3–1.6, and OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.0–3.7, respectively). No significant association was found between nGOR and lung function or bronchial responsiveness. Persistent symptoms of nGOR contribute to the development of asthma and respiratory symptoms. New onset of OSA symptoms is higher among subjects with symptoms of nGOR. These findings provide evidence that nGOR may play a role in the genesis of respiratory symptoms and diseases.