Gastroesophageal reflux in asthmatic patients: an incidence study and clinical correlation

The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in asthmatic patients is elevated, but the exact frequency remains unknown. The relationship between GER and asthma has not been investigated in Mexico. The objective of this study is to know the frequency of GER in Mexican asthmatic patients and the possible relationship with the severity of asthma. Fifty patients with adult-onset asthma were studied. AII of them fulfill the diagnostic criteria of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. The evaluation included a symptoms questionnaire, spirometry, esophageal manometry, 24-h esophageal pH-recording, and an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Twenty-three patients had mild asthma (46%), 16 moderate (32%) and 11 had severe asthma (22%). Twenty-seven (54%) reported heartburn and regurgitation at least twice a week. The esophageal pH-recording showed pathologic GER in 37 subjects (74%) and endoscopic esophagitis was found in 7 cases (14%). The pH-recording showed pathologic GER in 13 patients with mild asthma (57%), in 13 with moderate asthma (81%) and in all patients with severe asthma (100%). The frequency of GER in Mexican asthmatic patients is high and increases proportionately with the severity of asthma. This factor must be considered in the integral evaluation of these patients.