Frequency of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Nonatopic Children with Asthma-like Airway Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is commonly associated with asthma; however, frequency in nonatopic children with asthmatic symptoms is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in nonatopic children with asthma-like airway disease that recur despite conventional asthma treatment and to evaluate the clinical response to lansoprazole treatment. Twenty-five nonatopic children aged between 1 and 16 years who have asthma-like airway disease and 25 healthy children were included in the study. All cases underwent 24 h pH monitoring with dual sensor catheters. Additionally, acid suppressor treatment was administered to patients diagnosed as having GERD and clinical response was evaluated. Major symptoms encountered in the patient group included wheezing and cough (88%, and 32%, respectively). Reflux episodes were more common in distal esophagus during the prone position (reflux index (RI) of 11.5+/-10.3 vs. 16.2+/-9.4 during supine vs. prone). All distal esophageal parameters were significantly higher in the patient group except number of reflux episodes lasting longer than 5 min (RI of 13.3+/-13.1 vs. 3.9+/-2.9 in the patient vs. control groups, respectively). There was a significant improvement in symptoms and requirement for medication with treatment (number of systems decreased from 2.3+/-0.6 to 0.4+/-0.6, P=0.00). In conclusion, GERD is significantly more common in nonatopic children with asthma-like airway disease compared to the controls and clinical improvement is significant after acid suppressor treatment. Thus, we suggest that children followed-up with the diagnosis of nonatopic asthma with recurrent exacerbations despite adequate asthma treatment have a high frequency of GER and that lansoprazole treatment may be considered early in management.