A Murky Relationship Between GERD and Interstitial Lung Disease

Previous studies document a high prevalence of GERD in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis but provide no evidence of causality.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been linked with interstitial lung disease (ILD) — a heterogeneous group of inflammatory conditions including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, whether GERD and IPF are causally related or different manifestations of the same systemic illness, scleroderma, is poorly understood. To review results of prior studies that explored the relationship between GERD and IPF, researchers used an evidence-based scoring system to select 22 studies out of 319 for review.

The prevalence of GERD was higher in patients with IPF than in the general population. Classic GERD symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation were poor predictors of the presence of pathologic acid exposure (established by pH monitoring)…

Reviewing Author

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors