Extraösophageale Manifestationen der Refluxerkrankung an den Atmungsorganen

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common medical condition with a prevalence of 10–20% in the western world and almost every third GERD-patient presents with extraesophageal symptoms. The extraesophageal symptoms and disorders associated with GERD are chronic cough, bronchial asthma, sleep disturbances or aggravation of sleep disordered breathing, hoarseness, dental erosions and non-cardiac chest pain. The severity of the symptoms is variable. Typical GERD symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation can occur only faintly or not at all, and extraesophageal symptoms may be predominant. Causality and pathogenesis are not clarified conclusively, however recurrent microaspirations and nerval mechanisms are suggested. Recurrent aspirations, especially in patients with structural oesophageal disorders predispose to pulmonary infections. One hypothesis postulates a causal relationship between microaspirations and idopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This article gives an overview of reflux associated bronchopulmonary diseases and summarizes treatment options.