BACKGROUND: In gastro-oesophageal reflux (GER), micro-aspirations of gastric fluid may damage the epithelial surface of the airways, an important source of endogenous nitric oxide (NO). OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible influence of GER on fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FE(NO)) release. METHODS: FE(NO) levels were compared in two age-matched groups of allergic children: (1) 20 with mild asthma, responding to standard anti-asthma pharmacologic therapy (asthmatic children) and (2) 12 with mild 'asthma-like symptoms' and GER. RESULTS: No differences in pulmonary functions parameters (FEV(1), FVC and FEF(25-75%)) were found between the two groups of children (p > 0.1); FE(NO) levels were higher in asthmatic children compared with GER children (p = 0.0001). GER children underwent 24-hour oesophageal pH-metry, and possible correlations between pH-metry data, pulmonary functions and FE(NO) levels were evaluated. No correlations were found between pulmonary functions and pH-metry data (p > 0.05, each correlation). In contrast, correlations were observed between FE(NO) levels and pH-metry data, including (1) percentage of study time with pH < 4 (r = -0.80, p = 0.008), (2) number of episodes with pH < 4 (r = -0.76, p = 0.012), and (3) number of episodes >5 min with pH < 4 (r = -0.69, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Thus, FE(NO) levels are lower in allergic children with 'asthma-like symptoms' and GER as compared to asthmatic children. The correlations between FE(NO) levels and pH-metry data suggest that inhalation of acid gastric content may interfere with NO production in the airways.

Asthma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Gastroesophageal reflux disease and respiratory disease].

The patients treated for oesophageal atresia present a correlation between the clinical sintomatology after recanalization characterized by disfagia, dispnea, recurrent cough, chronic pneumopaties and oesophageal anomalies. Where morphological alterations accounting for the presence of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) were not evident, possible functional alterations of the motility were considered. The incidence of GOR was considerably high and, expression of a congenital alteration of the lower oesophageal sphincter and of oesophageal peristalsis, becomes even more severe due to further stretching of the gastro-esophageal junction. The authors underline that the early demonstration of histological changes, even before recanalization, and the motility disorders of the oesophagus have to be well studied, while the LES is normalized, in order to prevent and treat the possible appearance of the well-known complications of GOR.

Gastroesophageal Reflux↗