TY - JOUR
T1 - Correlations between exhaled nitric oxide levels and pH-metry data in asthmatics with gastro-oesophageal reflux
AU - Silvestri, M.
AU - Mattioli, G.
AU - Defi Lippi, A. C.
AU - Fregonese, B.
AU - Battistini, E.
AU - Jasonni, V.
AU - Rossi, G. A.
PY - 2004
Y1 - 2004
N2 - Background: In gastro-oesophageal reflux (GER), micro-aspirations of gastric fluid may damage the epithelial surface of the airways, an important source of endogenous nitric oxide (NO). Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible infl uence of GER on fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) release. Methods: FENO levels were compared in two age-matched groups of allergic children: (1) 20 with mild asthma, responding to standard anti-asthma pharmacologic therapy (asthmatic children) and (2) 12 with mild 'asthma-like symptoms' and GER. Results: No differences in pulmonary functions parameters (FEV1 , FVC and FEF25-75%) were found between the two groups of children (p > 0.1); FENO levels were higher in asthmatic children compared with GER children (p = 0.0001). GER children underwent 24-hour oesophageal pH-metry, and possible correlations between pH-metry data, pulmonary functions and FENO levels were evaluated. No correlations were found between pulmonary functions and pH-metry data (p > 0.05, each correlation). In contrast, correlations were observed between FENO levels and pH-metry data, including (1) percentage of study time with pH <4 (r = -0.80, p = 0.008), (2) number of episodes with pH <4 (r = -0.76, p = 0.012), and (3) number of episodes >5 min with pH <4 (r = -0.69, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Thus, FENO levels are lower in allergic children with 'asthma-like symptoms' and GER as compared to asthmatic children. The correlations between FENO levels and pH-metry data suggest that inhalation of acid gastric content may interfere with NO production in the airways.
AB - Background: In gastro-oesophageal reflux (GER), micro-aspirations of gastric fluid may damage the epithelial surface of the airways, an important source of endogenous nitric oxide (NO). Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible infl uence of GER on fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) release. Methods: FENO levels were compared in two age-matched groups of allergic children: (1) 20 with mild asthma, responding to standard anti-asthma pharmacologic therapy (asthmatic children) and (2) 12 with mild 'asthma-like symptoms' and GER. Results: No differences in pulmonary functions parameters (FEV1 , FVC and FEF25-75%) were found between the two groups of children (p > 0.1); FENO levels were higher in asthmatic children compared with GER children (p = 0.0001). GER children underwent 24-hour oesophageal pH-metry, and possible correlations between pH-metry data, pulmonary functions and FENO levels were evaluated. No correlations were found between pulmonary functions and pH-metry data (p > 0.05, each correlation). In contrast, correlations were observed between FENO levels and pH-metry data, including (1) percentage of study time with pH <4 (r = -0.80, p = 0.008), (2) number of episodes with pH <4 (r = -0.76, p = 0.012), and (3) number of episodes >5 min with pH <4 (r = -0.69, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Thus, FENO levels are lower in allergic children with 'asthma-like symptoms' and GER as compared to asthmatic children. The correlations between FENO levels and pH-metry data suggest that inhalation of acid gastric content may interfere with NO production in the airways.
KW - Asthma
KW - Gastro-oesophageal reflux
KW - Nitric oxide
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U2 - 10.1159/000079635
DO - 10.1159/000079635
M3 - Article
C2 - 15316204
AN - SCOPUS:4444286465
VL - 71
SP - 329
EP - 335
JO - Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases
JF - Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases
SN - 0025-7931
IS - 4
ER -