Past Articles Create username. A Look at Pulmonary Ramifications By Dominic De Bellis, PhD More than 30 percent and as many as 90 percent of asthmatics can have abnormal levels of esophageal acid reflux, researchers say. Many of these symptoms have pulmonary ramifications. The important question is whether we can identify a specific group of signs that have a high likelihood of being related to acid.
Diagnostic questions represent a constant challenge to pulmonologists and gastroenterologists alike.
However, the key to more accurately separating pulmonary dysfunction from acid reflux is for the practitioner to have a high level of clinical suspicion of GERD in patients with stubborn pulmonary symptoms. This problem is more common than is clinically realized. These observations are noteworthy, especially since roughly 33 percent of asthmatics with esophageal dysfunction do not exhibit any abnormal esophageal symptoms, as Richter pointed out. In summarizing trials of medical therapy for GERD-related asthma, Richter noted initial studies with antacids and H2 blockers yielded inconsistent results for improvements in asthma symptoms and peak flow rates. Haynes, who also advocates aggressive treatment, reminded caregivers to consider microaspiration in patients who fail to respond to standard treatment for asthma or bronchitis.