Makkar Ravinder P S, Sachdev Gopal K
Department of Medical Assistance, International SOS, New Delhi, India.
MedGenMed. 2003 Jul 8;5(3):4.
Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by increased airway reactivity with airflow obstruction. It is exacerbated by multiple triggers, and one common, often overlooked trigger is gastroesophageal reflux (GER). The prevalence of GER in asthmatics is estimated at between 34% and 80%. Up to 24% of asthmatics may have silent GER without the classic reflux symptoms (heartburn, acid regurgitation, and dysphagia). Since most patients are initially seen at the primary care level, it is essential for the primary physicians to recognize the underlying cause of the disease. This review briefly discusses the pathogenesis and clinical features of gastric (reflux-triggered) asthma and provides clues for its diagnosis in primary care practice. The current diagnostic approach to such patients and its management relevant to general practitioners is also discussed.
哮喘是一种气道炎症性疾病，其特征为气道反应性增加并伴有气流阻塞。它由多种触发因素加剧，一种常见且常被忽视的触发因素是胃食管反流（GER）。哮喘患者中GER的患病率估计在34%至80%之间。高达24%的哮喘患者可能有隐匿性GER，而无典型的反流症状（烧心、反酸和吞咽困难）。由于大多数患者最初是在初级保健机构就诊，因此初级医生认识到该疾病的潜在病因至关重要。本文综述简要讨论了胃（反流引发的）哮喘的发病机制和临床特征，并为其在初级保健实践中的诊断提供线索。还讨论了针对此类患者的当前诊断方法及其与全科医生相关的管理。
