Abstract

Evaluation of respiratory function with cardiopulmonary exercise test in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been associated with a variety of pulmonary manifestations but it is unclear if gastroesophageal reflux causes any abnormality in pulmonary function. Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is a specialized method which is used to evaluate respiratory function during exercise. Aim: The aim of this study was to reveal any abnormality of pulmonary function in patients with GERD and respiratory symptoms. Method: We evaluated 34 patients with GERD (age 21-63, 24 men) and extraesophageal respiratory symptoms (wheezing and/or cough) before therapy and after twelve weeks treatment with double dose omeprazole. No patient presented abnormal spirometry. CPET was performed in all patients at baseline and after completion of 12 week treatment. The following CPET parameters: VO2rest, VO2max, VCO2rest, VCO2max, O2–pulse rest, O2–pulse max, HR (heart rate) rest, HRmax, PETCO2rest, PETCO2max, VE/VCO2 slope were recorded pre-treatment and post-treatment. Results: Twenty four patients (70.6%) had esophagitis (grade I-IV), 16 patients had hiatal hernia (47.1%) and in 13 patients (38,2%) Helicobacter pylori was positive. All patients completed the CPET. No one presented shortness of breath or respiratory symptoms. CPET parameters were within normal limits in all patients. Twenty eight patients were reevaluated. No improvement in any CPET parameter post treatment was observed despite remission of esophageal and extraesophageal symptoms in all patients. No statistically significant difference was observed pre and post-treatment, between older and younger than 40 year old patients, smokers and non smokers, Hp(+) and Hp(-) patients and those with and without hiatal hernia and esophagitis. Conclusions: Patients with GERD and respiratory manifestations and normal spirometry present no pulmonary dysfunction during CPET. Also no alterations in CPET values post-treatment neither differences in CPET values according to age, smoking, Hp status, presence of oesophagitis or hiatal hernia were observed.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call