Lower esophageal sphincter pressures in patients of bronchial asthma and its correlation with spirometric parameters: a case-control study

Objectives: The cause–effect relationship between bronchial asthma and gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) is known, but studies have not been able to confirm the improvement of lung function with anti-acid therapy. Hypotensive lower esophageal sphincter (LES) may lead to both acid and non-acid reflux, resulting in asthma symptoms and decreased lung function. The objectives of our study were, firstly, to compare basal LES pressure between adult patients of asthma and normal controls and, secondly, to correlate the basal LES pressure with spirometric parameters in these patients. Methods: Thirty patients, aged between 18 and 65 years, diagnosed as cases of bronchial asthma and 27 healthy controls were included in the study. All the participants were subjected to esophageal manometry after overnight fasting and basal LES pressures were recorded. Then, spirometry was done 2?h after meal and pre- and post-bronchodilator FEV₁, FVC, PEFR were obtained for the asthma group. Results and conclusions: There is significant difference between basal LES pressure in patients of bronchial asthma and control population (8.70?±?2.67?mmHg versus 16.64?±?5.52, p?<?0.0001). 66.67% of the asthma patients have reduced LES pressures (<10?mmHg). The correlation coefficient between basal LES pressure and prebronchodilator FEV₁% predicted is 0.596 (p?<?0.0001, 95% CI 0.3002–0.7872). Obstructive airway impairment in adult patients of bronchial asthma is associated with hypotensive LES. GER, due to hypotensive LES may contribute to deterioration of spirometric parameters in asthma patients.     

Reproducibility and Intragastric Variation of Duodenogastric Reflux Using Ambulatory Gastric Bilirubin Monitoring

Duodenogastric reflux has long been considered to be important in the pathogenesis of many gastric disorders that exhibit regional variation within the stomach. Ambulatory gastric bilirubin monitoring is a new technique and, although extensively validated, reproducibility and gastric regional variation have not been specifically addressed. Fourteen patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux and 12 healthy subjects underwent 24-h ambulatory gastric bilirubin monitoring with the bilirubin sensor in the upper stomach. Gastric bilirubin monitoring with two simultaneous bilirubin probes, one in the upper stomach and the other in the antrum, was performed on a separate occasion. Gastric bilirubin exposure in the initial and repeat studies showed a good correlation (R = 0.60, P < 0.01). Gastric bilirubin exposure in the upper stomach and the antrum showed a high degree of correlation (R = 0.90, P < 0.01). In conclusion, reproducible results are obtained with ambulatory gastric bilirubin monitoring and duodenogastric reflux does not exhibit significant regional variation within the stomach.     

Gastric Acid Normosecretion Is Not Essential in the Pathogenesis of Mild Erosive Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Relation to Helicobacter pylori Status

In the pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastric acid is considered to be one of the most important factors, but little is known about the degree of gastric acid secretion in GERD patients. In this study, we evaluated it in GERD patients and control subjects by 24-h intragastric pH, and serological and histological investigations, in relation to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) status. In H. pylori-negative GERD patients gastric acid secretion was similar to that in H. pylori-negative control subjects. In H. pylori-positive GERD patients, in particular, mild GERD patients, it decreased significantly compared to that in H. pylori-negative control subjects, but the degree of decrease was smaller than in H. pylori-positive control subjects. Results of serological and histological evaluation were supportive. In conclusion, in some GERD patients, gastric acid secretion was significantly decreased. Increased or maintained gastric acid secretion was not essential in the pathogenesis of mild GERD.     

Perspectives on the interlinked nature of systemic sclerosis and reflux disease

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem connective tissue disease, characterized by chronic inflammation and vascular changes that result in esophageal smooth muscle atrophy and fibrosis. Subsequent progressive loss of peristalsis in the distal esophagus and loss of lower esophageal sphincter function lead to problems with the protective barrier and exposure of sensitive tissues to the gastroduodenal contents, a disorder called reflux disease.

Areas covered: Depending on the range, nature and symptoms of the disease, the term ‘reflux disease’ may refer to gastroesophageal reflux, laryngopharyngeal reflux, microaspiration into the airways and silent reflux. Despite the links between these visceral complications, this connection remains controversial. This is due to a lack of complete understanding, the asymptomatic nature of the disease and the limited diagnostic accuracy of tests, which can delay diagnosis. Such delays are problematic, given that the early detection of GERD in SSc patients, the timing of assessment, the treatment of the organs involved are critical aspects of patient prognosis and disease outcome.

Expert commentary: This review summarizes the most recent knowledge about the pathophysiology, diagnosis and prospective treatment of GERD in SSc patients and highlights how innovative technologies applied through an integrative, interdisciplinary approach may soon lead to effective treatment strategies.     

Exercise-induced asthma

An acid-induced, cholinergic esophagobronchial reflex has been described whereby acid refluxing into the esophagus causes bronchospasm. Reports of exertional gastroesophageal acid reflux prompted us to study the possibility that exercise-induced asthma (EIA) could be related to gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Following an overnight fast, 10 athletes with a history of EIA (nine men, one woman; mean age 31) were studied. Continuous monitoring of intraesophageal pH and motility, ECG, and arterial oxygen saturation was done. After baseline monitoring at rest for 15 min, subjects underwent treadmill exercise for 10 min followed by continuous monitoring for 30 min after exercise. Spirometry was done at baseline prior to exercise, then repeated every 5 min after exercise for 30 min. Two subjects were retested at a later date following a standard test meal. All 10 subjects demonstrated a decrease in FEV₁ in response to exercise, but only half met criteria for EIA. Although 60% (6/10) showed some evidence of GER, only three subjects demonstrated a pathologic degree of GER. In the two subjects retested postprandially, change in FEV₁ was no different in one and improved in the other despite worsening of GER in both. There was no significant correlation between GER and EIA (P=0.2). EIA correlated inversely with amplitude of esophageal contractions (P=0.029) and was directly related to the percentage of multi-peaked contractions and the duration of peristaltic contractions (P=0.08). EIA is not associated with exertional GER.Presented at Digestive Disease Week, San Diego, California, May 16, 1995.     

Cough threshold in reflux oesophagitis: influence of acid and of laryngeal and oesophageal damage

BACKGROUND: Gastro-oesophageal reflux is often associated with cough. Patients with reflux show an enhanced tussive response to bronchial irritants, even in the absence of respiratory symptoms. AIM: To investigate the effect of mucosal damage (either oesophageal or laryngeal) and of oesophageal acid flooding on cough threshold in reflux patients. PATIENTS: We studied 21 patients with reflux oesophagitis and digestive symptoms. Respiratory diseases, smoking, and use of drugs influencing cough were considered exclusion criteria. METHODS: Patients underwent pH monitoring, manometry, digestive endoscopy, laryngoscopy, and methacholine challenge. We evaluated the cough response to inhaled capsaicin (expressed as PD5, the dose producing five coughs) before therapy, after five days of omeprazole therapy, and when oesophageal and laryngeal damage had healed. RESULTS: In all patients spirometry and methacholine challenge were normal. Thirteen patients had posterior laryngitis and eight complained of coughing. Twenty patients showed an enhanced cough response (basal PD5 0.92 (0.47) nM; mean (SEM)) which improved after five and 60 days (2.87 (0.82) and 5.88 (0.85) nM; p<0.0001). The severity of oesophagitis did not influence PD5 variation. On the contrary, the response to treatment was significantly different in patients with and without laryngitis (p = 0.038). In patients with no laryngitis, the cough threshold improved after five days with no further change thereafter. In patients with laryngitis, the cough threshold improved after five days and improved further after 60 days. Proximal and distal oesophageal acid exposure did not influence PD5. Heartburn disappeared during the first five days but the decrease in cough and throat clearing were slower. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with reflux oesophagitis have a decreased cough threshold. This is related to both laryngeal inflammation and acid flooding of the oesophagus but not to the severity of oesophagitis. Omeprazole improves not only respiratory and gastro-oesophageal symptoms but also the cough threshold.     

清热理气冲剂对实验性胆汁反流性胃炎大鼠血浆内皮素和降钙素基因相关肽的影响

目的 探讨清热理气冲剂对实验性胆汁反流性胃炎（BRG）大鼠血浆内皮素（ET）和降钙素基因相关肽（CGRP）的影响。方法 60只大鼠随机分为A组（中药等效剂量组），B组（中药大剂量组），C组（西沙必利等效剂量组），D组（枸橼酸铋钾等效剂量组），E组（病理对照组）和F组（正常对照组）。除F组外，其余各组大鼠应用胆汁灌胃导致胃黏膜损害。2W后分别应用清热理气冲剂等效剂量、大剂量、西沙必利、枸橼酸铋钾处理。实验第4周观察胆汁反流性胃炎胃黏膜病理形态和应用放免法测定血浆ET和CGRP含量。结果 F组可见黏膜下层充血水肿，胃小凹增生，肠上皮化生，炎性细胞浸润等，而A组和B组胃黏膜组织形态显著改善。F组电镜观察到胃黏膜细胞问的紧密连接受损，线粒体肿胀，粗面内质网扩张，微绒毛变短或丢失，A组和B组的超微结构明显的改善。A组和B组血浆ET明显低于E组（P〈0．01）。A组和B组血浆CGRP明显高于E组（P〈0．01）。结论 清热理气冲剂可以减轻胃黏膜损伤，通过影响血浆ET和CGRP相关肽含量而达到治疗BRG目的。     

Correlation of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms characteristics with long-segment Barrett''s esophagus

Thus far, there has been a paucity of studies that have assessed the value of the different gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptom characteristics in identifying patients with long-segment Barrett's esophagus versus those with short-segment Barrett's esophagus. To determine if any of the symptom characteristics of GERD correlates with long-segment Barrett's esophagus versus short-segment Barrett's esophagus. Patients seen in our Barrett's clinic were prospectively approached and recruited into the study. All patients underwent an endoscopy, validated GERD symptoms questionnaire and a personal interview. Of the 88 Barrett's esophagus patients enrolled into the study, 47 had short-segment Barrett's esophagus and 41 long-segment Barrett's esophagus. Patients with short-segment Barrett's esophagus reported significantly more daily heartburn symptoms (84.1%) than patients with long-segment Barrett's esophagus (63.2%, P = 0.02). There was a significant difference in reports of severe to very severe dysphagia in patients with long-segment Barrett's esophagus versus those with short-segment Barrett's esophagus (76.9%vs. 38.1%, P = 0.02). Longer duration in years of chest pain was the only symptom characteristic of gastroesophageal reflux disease associated with longer lengths of Barrett's mucosa. Reports of severe or very severe dysphagia were more common in long-segment Barrett's esophagus patients. Only longer duration of chest pain was correlated with longer lengths of Barrett's esophagus.     

Barrett's esophagus: Pathogenesis,epidemiology, functional abnormalities,malignant degeneration,and surgical management

Barrett's esophagus (i.e. columnar epithelial metaplasia in the distal esophagus) is an acquired condition that in most patients results from chronic gastroesophageal reflux. It is a disorder of the white male in the Western world with a prevalence of about 1/400 population. Due to the decreased sensitivity of the columnar epithelium to symptoms, Barrett's esophagus remains undiagnosed in the majority of patients. Gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with Barrett's esophagus has a more severe character and is more frequently associated with complications as compared with reflux patients without columnar mucosa. This appears to be due to a combination of a mechanically defective lower esophageal sphincter, inefficient esophageal clearance function, and gastric acid hypersecretion. Excessive reflux of alkaline duodenal contents may be responsible for the development of complications (i.e., stricture, ulcer, and dysplasia). Therapy of benign Barrett's esophagus is directed towards treatment of the underlying reflux disease. Barrett's esophagus is associated with a 30- to 125-fold increased risk for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. The reasons for the dramatic rise in the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma, which occurred during the past years, are unknown. High grade dysplasia in a patient with columnar mucosa is an ominous sign for malignant degeneration. Whether an esophagectomy should be performed in patients with high grade dysplasia remains controversial. Complete resection of the tumor and its lymphatic drainage is the procedure of choice in all patients with a resectable carcinoma who are fit for surgery. In patients with tumors located in the distal esophagus, this can be achieved by a transhiatal en-bloc esophagectomy and proximal gastrectomy. Early adenocarcinoma can be cured by this approach. The value of multimodality therapy in patients with advanced tumors needs to be shown in randomized prospective trials.