Gastro-oesophageal reflux and childhood asthma: the acid test. Issue 8 (August 1985)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wilson, N M; Charette, L; Thomson, A H; Silverman, M
• Is Part Of: Thorax. Volume 40:Issue 8(1985)
• Page Start: 592
• Page End: 597
• Publication Date: 1985-08
• Subjects: Chest -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Thorax; Chest -- Diseases; Periodicals; Periodicals; 617.54
• DOI: 10.1136/thx.40.8.592
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0040-6376

Abstract

Abstract : The presence of gastro-oesophageal reflux was investigated in 18 children with moderate to severe asthma by overnight oesophageal pH monitoring. Appreciable reflux was found during sleep in eight; its relevance to nocturnal asthma was not clear. On another occasion the same children were challenged in a double blind fashion with a drink of dilute hydrochloric acid (0.001 N) and the response of the airways was monitored by peak flow measurements and by histamine challenge tests. There was a significant increase in mean histamine sensitivity (p = 0.001) 90 minutes after the acid drink without any associated change in baseline peak flow rate. Eight children had a significant response to the acid drink, and a further three reacted to a more concentrated solution (0.01 N). In those asthmatic children in whom reflux is associated with a positive response to an acid drink (five out of 18 in the present study) it seems likely that reflux exacerbates nocturnal symptoms.