Is mis-swallowing or smoking a cause of respiratory symptoms in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease?

Respiratory symptoms were studied in 119 patients operated on for fundoplication and crural repair because of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The effect of antireflux surgery and of smoking habits on their respiratory symptoms was evaluated. A questionnaire was completed before and after surgery in connection with esophageal investigations. Chronic bronchitis was present in 20% of the patients, 38% of whom were smokers. In the rest of the patients, 18% were smokers. Cough was reported by 34% and expectoration by 21%. After surgery the number of patients with cough and chronic bronchitis was reduced significantly in nonsmokers and to some extent in smokers. It is believed that fundoplication with distal anchoring of the longitudinal esophageal muscle will improve pharyngoesophageal function and thereby decrease aspiration and respiratory symptoms due to mis-swallowing.