Prevalence of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: The esophagus exposure to stomach reflexes contents (or gastric content) causes an inflammatory sensation, bitter fluid movement from the abdomen to mouth and other troublesome symptoms are generally referred to as Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Aims: The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of gestroesophageal reflux disease in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Materials and Methods: This multi-center cross-sectional study was carried out on 150 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients admitted at Medicine ward and OPD at Divisional Headquarters Teaching hospital Mirpur and KMU IMS, Kohat for six months duration from October 2020 to March 2021. All the patients of either gender having an age range between 16-70 years and met the inclusive criteria were enrolled. The demographic details such as age, gender, duration, and severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and Gastroesophageal reflux disease prevalence were recorded in proforma after obtaining informed consent in written form. Patients with a ratio of forced expiratory volume to forced vital capacity (<70%) in one second and had no forced expiratory volume improvement after nebulization. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis. Results: Of the total 150 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, 93 (62%) were male while females were 57 (38%). The overall mean age +/- SD was 54.37 +/- 16.06 years. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mean duration was 8.93 +/- 5.3 years. Out of 150 COPD patients, about 74 (49.3%) had Gastroesophageal reflux disease while 76 (51.7%) had no Gastroesophageal reflux disease. The GERD overall prevalence in COPD was 49.3%. Based on Gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms, very severe, severe, moderate, and mild were 26 (17.6%), 23 (15.4%), 14 (9%), and 11 (7.3%) respectively. As per COPD severity, the prevalence of GERD was statistically insignificant (p-0.532). Conclusion: The present study concluded a significant association between chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases with gastro esophageal reflux disease. The prevalence of gastro esophageal reflux disease was reported at 49.3% among chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases patients.