Effect of theophylline on gastroesophageal reflux in patients with asthma

A possible role of methylxanthines in the high incidence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in patients with asthma has been suggested. Therefore, we used a randomized, double-blind, crossover design to compare the effects of a 1-week conventional theophylline treatment and a 1-week placebo treatment in 16 adult patients with asthma. No oral or parenteral glucocorticoids were administered, but seven patients were taking inhaled corticoids. All patients needed inhaled adrenergic drugs. At the end of each period of theophylline or placebo treatment, the patients were carefully questioned with respect to respiratory and digestive symptoms, forced expiratory flows were measured, and GER was assessed by prolonged nocturnal intraesophageal pH monitoring. Peak expiratory flow was measured three times a day throughout the study. No significant increase in GER was found with theophylline compared to placebo, and forced expiratory flows improved with theophylline (p less than 0.05 for FEV1 and p less than 0.01 for peak expiratory flow rate). There was no correlation between GER, the duration of asthma, and forced expiratory flows. Thus, our study failed to demonstrate any adverse effect of a slow-release theophylline preparation on GER in patients with asthma. These results further suggest that the presence of GER is not a contraindication to the use of a slow-release theophylline in subjects with asthma.     

Silent gastroesophageal reflux in patients with bronchial asthma

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a common occurrence in patients with asthma. We performed a prospective study to detect GER in patients with asthma using pH monitoring. Twenty consecutive patients (mean age 48 +/- 14 yr, range 23-70; 13 men) with asthma of unexplained etiology were evaluated. Esophageal and gastric pH were studied both while introducing and pulling out pH probe. Upper GI endoscopy was done in all the patients before doing pH monitoring. Esophageal pH was recorded at 25 cm, 30 cm and 35 cm from the incisors. Mean esophageal pH values while introducing pH probe were 2.9 +/- 1.08 (0-5.1), 2.5 +/- 1.2 (0-5) and 1.6 +/- 1.5 (0-4.6) at 25 cm, 30 cm and 35 cm from incisors respectively. The gastric pH was 0.5 +/- 0.4 (0-2). While pulling out pH probe, pH values were 1.5 +/- 1.4 (0-4.7), 2.4 +/- 1.5 (0-5.1) and 2.9 +/- 1.4 (0-5.4) at 35 cm, 30 cm, and 25 cm from incisors respectively. Of 20 patients, 19 had pH of 4 or lower at 25 cm, 30 cm and 35 cm from incisors. The mean pH value was lower at 35 cm than at 30 cm and 25 cm (1.6 +/- 1.5 vs 2.5 +/- 1.2 and 2.9 +/- 1.08, p < 0.04). In conclusion majority of adults with asthma have silent GER as detected on pH monitoring.     

The evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in patients with bronchial asthma

Lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) and extended pH monitoring of the distal esophagus were assessed in 15 asthmatic children in order to evaluate the most important symptoms of suspected gastroesophageal reflux (GER)-asthma. As a result, episodes of asthmatic attacks after overeating were closely correlated with GER as determined by decreased LESP and high pH score.     

Effect of graded running on esophageal motility and gastroesophageal reflux in fed volunteers

The effects of different grades of running on esophageal motility and gastroesophageal reflux in the fed state were evaluated. We studied healthy volunteers (male: 12, age: 27 +/- 5 yr) using ambulatory esophageal manometry, pH catheter and portable digital data recorder. Each exercise was performed 30 min after meal, with 20 min of rest between exercises. Subjects exercised on a treadmill at 40% and 70% maximal heart rate. The number of gastroesophageal reflux episodes, the duration of esophageal acid exposure and percent time pH below 4 were significantly (p < 0.01) increased during exercise at 70% maximal heart rate. The frequency of contraction (contraction/min) (p < 0.05), frequency of repetition (p < 0.01), percent of simultaneous contraction (p < 0.01), percent of above 100 mmHg amplitude (p < 0.05), and frequency of 2-peak contraction (p < 0.01) were significantly increased during exercise at 70% maximal heart rate. However, median amplitude and median duration showed no significant changes between each exercise session. Postprandial running exercises induce gastroesophageal reflux, which correlates with exercise intensity. These effects are mediated by disorganized esophageal motility.     

Ultrastructural changes in the epithelium in asthma associated with gastroesophageal reflux

Asthma concomitant with gastroesophageal reflux is regarded in the context of systemic multifactorial primary degenerative process, based on discoordination of neurohormonal regulation and systemic metabolic and degenerative changes. Degeneration and atrophy of the structural components of the bronchial tree and gastric wall are the leading phenomenons determining the organ dysfunction. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 144, No. 8, pp. 221–225, August, 2007     

非糜烂性反流病患者胃食管交界顺应性增加

目的揭示非糜烂性反流病(NERD)的生物力学机制。方法纳入自2014年10月4日至2015年9月30日就诊于中日友好医院消化内科门诊符合NERD诊断的17例患者及健康志愿者17名。使用内镜联合Endo Flip技术对胃食管交界的横截面面积(CSA)、球囊内压力和顺应性(Δv/Δp)进行测定。结果随球囊容积增加,胃食管交界处的顺应性NERD组显著高于对照组(P0.01),而横截面积和球囊内压力变化不明显。结论非糜烂性反流病患者的胃食管交界的顺应性增加可能是其重要的发病机制之一。     

Effect of theophylline on gastroesophageal reflux in normal adults

In a randomized, double-blind manner, 15 normal adults were given a single oral loading dose of anhydrous theophylline (6.5 ± 0.9 mg/kg) and nine normal adults were given placebo. All subjects were tested for serum theophylline levels, acid reflux (using intraesophageal pH probe), and lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) at 1.5, 4, and 8 hr after treatment. Of subjects with negative baseline acid reflux tests, eight of 13 (61.5%) given theophylline developed positive acid reflux tests compared with none of eight subjects given placebo. One of nine (11%) placebo subjects reported heartburn compared with 11 of 15 (73%) subjects given theophylline. The maximum mean percent change in LESP from baseline was +5.62 ± 28.8% in the placebo group and ?25.01 ± 23.7% in the theophylline group (p = 0.01) at 4 hr after treatment. While only two of nine (22%) adults given placebo had at least a 14% reduction in LESP following treatment, all of the 15 subjects sustained a minimum of 14% relaxation in LESP. This study confirms that oral theophylline at therapeutic serum levels inhibits LESP and induces gastroesophageal reflux (GER) measured by acid reflux tests in most normal adults.     

中药四逆散加味治疗胃食管反流性咳嗽的疗效

目的:探讨四逆散加味治疗胃食管反流性咳嗽(gastroesophageal reflux cough,GERC)的临床疗效.方法:选取2014年1月至2015年12月海南省中医院收治的68例GERC患者作为研究对象,并随机分为对照组和研究组各34例.对照组给予奥美拉唑肠溶片和吗丁啉片常规西医治疗,而研究组则给予四逆散加味治疗.于治疗前后分别对两组患者进行咳嗽症状评分,评价两组的临床疗效,并观察两组不良反应的发生情况.于治疗前后分别检测两组痰上清液中IL-8和P物质(SP)的水平.采用莱塞斯特咳嗽生命质量问卷(Leicester Cough Questionnaire,LCQ)分别对两组患者治疗前后的生活质量进行评估.结果:研究组患者的咳嗽症状积分为1.08±0.69,显著低于对照组的2.38±0.86,而研究组患者的LCQ评分为18.98±3.24,显著高于对照组的15.42±2.73,两组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);研究组治疗的总有效率为94.12%,显著高于对照组的76.43%,两组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);研究组治疗后的痰上清液中IL-8和SP水平分别为(24.58±8.79)pg/mL和(4.89±1.64)pg/mL,显著低于对照组的(36.19±12.53)pg/mL和(9.78±3.42)pg/mL,两组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论:四逆散加味治疗胃食管反流性咳嗽,可有效改善患者的咳嗽症状,提高患者的生活质量,同时可降低患者痰上清液中IL-8和SP的水平,疗效确切,值得应用于临床.     

胃食管反流病误诊为哮喘21例临床分析

目的探讨胃食管反流病误诊为哮喘的原因,为减少误诊提供参考。方法回顾性分析21例胃食管反流病误诊为哮喘患者的临床资料,根据临床特征分析误诊原因,探讨减少误诊策略。结果 21例患者均误诊为哮喘,误诊时间最短为半年,最长达6年。正确诊断后,经抗反流治疗1周后症状明显缓解16例（76.2%）2,周后症状缓解率达95.2%。经维持治疗6个月的18例患者中,症状完全缓解并无复发12例,复发6例。结论胃食管反流病误诊为哮喘的主要原因在于该类患者的首发症状是以哮喘症状为主。应提高认识、全面检查减少误诊的发生。     

胃食管反流病患者餐后近端胃酸分布及其与酸反流的关系

目的探讨胃食管反流病(GERD)患者餐后近端胃内酸分布及其与食管酸暴露的关系。方法应用三通道锑电极在下食管括约肌(LES)上缘近侧5cm、远侧5cm和远侧10cm处(LES-5cm,LES 5cm,LES 10cm),对受试者行空腹1h和餐后4h食管和胃内pH监测。计算食管酸暴露和胃内整合酸度(IA)。健康志愿者(HS)组和GERD组各10例。结果(1)HS组餐后LES 5cm处总IA有低于LES 10cm处的趋势,但GERD组未发现酸缓冲作用的部位差异。(2)餐后2h,HS组LES 5cm和LES 10cm处IA回升未超过基线;GERD组近端胃IA回升高于基线水平:LES 5cm:5.4(1.8~6.8)比较1.8(0.3~3.1)mmol/L.h(P<0.05);LES 10cm:5.6(2.4~7.6)比较2.3(0.8~3.1)mmol/L·h(P=0.05)。(3)两组食管酸暴露均主要发生在餐后2h,但GERD组显著高于HS组。食管酸暴露和胃内酸度无显著性相关关系。结论餐后近端胃酸分布异常以及胃酸分泌增高,可能部分地解释餐后GERD患者食管过度酸暴露。     

Digital infrared thermographic imaging in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

We performed a thermographic study to observe any possible interaction between the esophageal acid perfusion and the temperature changes of skin surface in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Twenty-seven patients with GERD were categorized as group I(globus symptoms with posterior laryngitis) and group II (heartburn and/or regurgitation symptoms). Patients and 6 healthy volunteers underwent Bernstein test (BT) and digital infrared thermographic imaging (DITI) simultaneously. The positive rate for BT in group I and group II was 22.2% and 55.6%, respectively, and the DITI positive rate was 55.6% for group I and 50.0% for group II. None of healthy control were positive in BT or DITI. All subjects with DITI positive were hypothermic. The overall accordance rate between DITI and BT was 69.7%. All group I patients showed a diffuse type, while in group 11, 4 patients showed diffuse type and 5 patients showed localized type (p<0.05). In patients with DITI (+)/BT (-), 83.3% showed diffuse type, whereas equal numbers of diffuse and localized type were noted in patients with DITI (+)/BT (+). In conclusion, add contact with a sensitive mucosa leads to an activation of the sympathetic nervous system in some patients with GERD, inducing skin surface hypothermia.     

Serum gastrin concentrations in children with primary gastroesophageal reflux and gastroesophageal reflux secondary to cow's milk allergy

PurposeThe assessment of the serum gastrin concentrations and the role of enterohormone in children with primary acid gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and GER secondary to cow's milk allergy (CMA).Materials/Methods138 children were diagnosed with pathological acid GER on the basis of pH-metric examination. 76 (28.8%) patients had primary GER and 62 (23.5%) patients had GER secondary to CMA.Serum gastrin concentration (fasting and postprandial) was assessed before treatment and 1 and 2 years after initiation of the therapy.ResultsThe children with primary GER had the fasting gastrin concentration 69.46 ± 11.87 μU/ml before treatment, 77.86 ± 26.35 μU/ml after 1 year and 83.78 ± 25.21 μU/ml after 2 years of treatment. The children with GER secondary to CMA had gastrin concentrations 89.61 ± 26.75, 73.17 ± 19.49 and 73.90 ± 20.31 μU/ml respectively. The mean postprandial gastrin concentration after treatment was higher than before treatment in children with both primary and secondary GER. The primary GER group had postprandial gastrin concentration 96.07 ± 33.51 μU/ml before treatment and 116.06 ± 33.95 μU/ml and 118.48 ± 33.96 μU/ml after 1st and 2nd year of therapy respectively. The secondary GER group had postprandial gastrin concentration 85.33 ± 14.12 μU/ml before treatment and 106.55 ± 24.51 μU/ml and 110.36 ± 24.67 μU/ml after 1st and 2nd year of therapy respectively.ConclusionsThe mean fasting serum gastrin concentrations in patients with primary and secondary GER were similar and mean postprandial concentrations were higher than fasting concentrations in both study groups.     

改善行为方式对胃食管反流病的治疗作用

目的探究行为方式的改善对胃食管反流病的治疗作用。方法入选102例胃食管反流病患者随机分为两组,其中对照组（51例）予以常规药物治疗,研究组（51例）在药物治疗的基础上加用行为方式的干预。治疗8周后,分析比较两组患者的相关临床资料。结果治疗8周后,研究组患者在反酸、胸骨后疼痛、烧心、食管反流、嗳气、吞咽不适等症状方面有显著的改善（P〈0.05）,内镜下分级情况也有显著的改善,并且与对照组相比较,效果更明显（P〈0.05）。对照组的总有效率为78.53%,研究组的总有效率为94.12%,两组之间具有统计学差异（P〈0.05）。结论行为方式的改善对胃食管反流病具有显著的治疗效果,既经济又简单易行。