The establishment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients with bronchial asthma – The role of reflex and reflux mechanisms

The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of GERD, proximal gastroesophageal reflux (GER), and esophago-bronchial reflex (EBR) in patients with asthma. Patients, methods: 30 consecutive patients (M/F 9/21) with recent diagnosis of bronchial asthma were prospectively invited for the evaluation of GERD. 12 of them refused the participation. The enrolled 18 patients were submitted to GERD symptom analysis, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, esophageal manometry, and Bernstein test. Proximal GER was established by double channel intraesophageal pH monitoring. The presence of EBR was studied by combined e…