Effect of short esophageal acidification on airway hyperreactivity.

The influence of short esophageal acidification on the bronchial reaction to methacholine was assessed by quantitative methacholine challenge tests after ingestion of orange-juice (pH 2.7). We studied 15 stable asthmatics and 10 hyperreactive nonasthmatics. After the acidic drink, airway hyperreactivity increased in 6 of the 15 asthmatics and 4 of the 10 hyperreactive nonasthmatics. For the groups as a whole, this response did not reach statistical significance in either group. Nevertheless, the finding that 40% of the patients responded to short esophageal acidification by an increase in airway hyperreactivity points out the importance of low esophageal pH values as a possible triggering factor of asthmatic attacks.