Is gastroesophageal reflux a factor in some asthmatics?

We performed antireflux surgery on 13 adults with both gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and asthma. The duration of asthma ranged from 7 months to 43 yr. Twelve patients had chronic heartburn, 10 had nocturnal cough and wheezing, eight had chest pain, and one was asymptomatic for GER. GER was determined by a combination of esophagoscopy with biopsy, manometry, and esophageal pH testing. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 13 months to 5 yr. Six patients were completely free of all wheezing episodes, six still had wheezing but the frequency and severity had markedly decreased, and one remained unchanged. Of 11 patients who required chronic bronchodilator therapy, four were able to completely stop and six decreased the dose by more than half; one required the same amount of therapy. Of the seven corticosteroid-dependent patients, two were weaned completely, three were being tapered, one remained unchanged, and one required a smaller dose for nasal polyps although he was free of wheezing and had stopped bronchodilators. Three patients, all of whom dramatically improved after surgery, died during their follow-up course: one died suddenly 8 months postoperatively during a walk after dinner from apparent status asthmaticus; one died 9 months postoperatively of refractory congestive heart failure; and one died 30 months postoperatively of metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown source. We conclude that surgical correction of GER in selected adults with both asthma and GER may significantly decrease or eliminate pulmonary symptoms and the need for asthmatic medications.