No Relation Between Asthma Control and Asymptomatic Acid Reflux

Despite an oft-cited relation between silent gastroesophageal reflux and asthma, esomeprazole (Nexium) therapy was not beneficial for patients with poorly controlled asthma in a recently published study (JW Gen Med Apr 16 2009). The 412 patients in that study experienced no (or minimal) heartburn, but nearly half exhibited acid reflux on ambulatory pH monitoring. Now the researchers present additional information on the relation between reflux and asthma symptoms among study participants.

Among patients with distal acid reflux on ambulatory pH monitoring, 58% also had proximal reflux. Among patients who did not meet criteria for distal reflux, 25% met criteria for proximal reflux. No significant associations were found between asthma control…