ASSOCIATION OF GATROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE IN TERMS OF SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Objective: To know the rate of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and symptoms and severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worsening. Study Design: A prospective, case control, questionnaire based, analytical study. Place and Duration: In the Pulmonology Department, Mayo Hospital Lahore for one year duration from November 2016 to November 2017. Methods: 150 control cases and gastroesophageal reflux symptoms were compared among 100 patients with COPD. According to the Mayo Clinic's modified version of GER questionnaire both groups were interviewed. Into two groups patients with COPD were divided according to the results of pulmonary function tests (PFT) of FEV1>50% and FEV1<50%. Results: Patients with symptoms of COPD had more frequent gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (26 and 9.29%, p = 0.001, respectively), acid insufficiency (30.66%, value = 0.001, 71% vs 56% and 43.33), chronic cough (89% vs 29.33%, p = 0.001) and dysphagia (15% vs 4%, p = 0.002). 66 patients with COPD have symptoms of respiratory tract related with reflux disease, whereas this relationship not observed in control subjects. With frequent gastroesophageal symptoms, Ten of the 11 patients had increased use of inhalers (p = 0.002). Common gastroesophageal symptoms were significantly associated with a decrease in FEV 1 (25% versus 25% of p < 0.001). Conversely, patients with COPD (20.81 in general 48.13 + 50.94 + 23.33) without lung function tests and no gastro-intestinal symptoms were similar. The proton pumps inhibitor drugs and for COPD H2 blocker was more used in patients than the control group. Conclusion: Patients with COPD had a higher incidence of gastroesophageal symptoms in patients with COPD.