A study of gastroesophageal reflux by 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring in patients with bronchial asthma

Abstract

To evaluate the incidence of abnormal gastroesophageal reflux in patients with bronchial asthma and the influence of drug therapy on the gastroesophageal reflux, we investigated the gastroesophageal reflux patterns using an ambulatory 24-hour esophageal monitoring in 25 healthy volunteers and 58 asthmatics. All the patients were stable conditions at the time of the study. Bronchodilator therapy was continued, if necessary along with steroid inhalation and xanthines. Compared with healthy volunteers, the asthmatics had significantly greater esophageal acid exposure time, more frequent reflux episode, and longer single reflux time. About 70% of asthmatics had abnormal gastroesophageal reflux. Asthma medications were not associated with the incidence of abnormal gastroesophageal reflux. However, asthmatics receiving β₂-stimulants therapy (n=27) had significantly greater esophageal reflux exposure time than those not receiving (n=31). Our study suggested that most asthmatics have abnormal gastroesophageal reflux unrelated to asthma attack or asthma medications and that β₂-stimulants used in asthmatics may worsen gastroesophageal reflux.