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The Role of Gastroesophageal Reflux in Exercise-Triggered Asthma: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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Abstract

Background Exercise-triggered asthma (ETA) develops when physical activity triggers asthma symptoms during or directly after exercise. In patients prone to symptoms of supra-esophageal reflux, exercise may trigger gastroesophageal reflux (GER), resulting in such symptoms. Aims To determine the prevalence of abnormal pH in patients with ETA and to determine whether acid suppression improves symptoms in ETA patients. Methods We performed a randomized double-blind trial of rabeprazole versus placebo in the treatment of patients with ETA. Patients underwent treadmill protocol to determine their VO2max. Next, pH testing was initiated while undergoing a 30-min treadmill program exercising them at 65% of their VO2max. They were subsequently randomized to rabeprazole or placebo for 10 weeks. At the end of 10 weeks, exercise testing was repeated. Results A total of 31 patients completed the study (20 asthmatics, 11 non-asthmatics). Twenty-two out of 30 (73%) subjects had abnormal pH studies. For all subjects, rabeprazole improved symptoms more than placebo (P = 0.03). The association was stronger in the pH-positive group (P = 0.009). Conclusion Acid reflux is common in ETA patients. Many patients with exercise-related respiratory symptoms are misdiagnosed as chronic asthmatics. Exercise-related symptoms improve with the use of acid suppression. This study suggests that ETA patients may benefit from acid suppression.

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Acknowledgments

Declaration of personal interests:

Dr. Kathryn Peterson received research support from PriCara, unit of Ortho-McNeil, Inc. and the AGA Foundation. No other personal interests exist.

Declaration of Funding Interests

This study was funded in part by PriCara, unit of Ortho-McNeil, Inc. and the AGA Foundation for the 2000 Fellowship to Faculty Award.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA

    Kathryn A. Peterson, Kristen L. Thomas, Kristen Hilden & John C. Fang

  2. Division of Pulmonology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA

    Wayne M. Samuelson, Darin T. Ryujin & David C. Young

Authors
  1. Kathryn A. Peterson
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  2. Wayne M. Samuelson
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  3. Darin T. Ryujin
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  7. John C. Fang
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Correspondence to Kathryn A. Peterson.

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Peterson, K.A., Samuelson, W.M., Ryujin, D.T. et al. The Role of Gastroesophageal Reflux in Exercise-Triggered Asthma: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Dig Dis Sci 54, 564–571 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-008-0396-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-008-0396-6

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