Recent clinical investigations examining the association of asthma and gastroesophageal reflux

For more than a decade, investigations have examined the association between asthma and gastroesophageal reflux (GER), and have demonstrated that the presence of esophageal acid events is associated with respiratory symptoms. The most current research shows that GER is prevalent in patients with asthma, that esophageal acid may alter bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and that medical or surgical GER therapy may improve asthma outcome in selected asthma patients. Further research will build on our current knowledge base and, hopefully, enable us to better identify those patients with asthma who will most benefit from reflux therapy. (C) 2003 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.