Value of proton pump inhibitors therapy in patients having GERD concurrent with uncontrolled asthma

ObjectiveTo study the effect of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) management by using high dose of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on the outcome of uncontrolled asthma.Study designThe study included 100 patients with their ages ranging from 21 to 69 years. They presented with uncontrolled asthma (FEV1 less than 80%, with daily rescue medications and more than one urgent care visit/year). And all patients were on high dose of inhaled oral corticosteroid (more than 880 μg fluticasone).F-scale questionnaire was done for the diagnosis of GERD.Patients with GERD and bronchial asthma received PPIs (40 mg omeprazole) and inhaled oral corticosteroid (500 μg fluticasone with long acting beta-2 agonist 100 μg salmeterol) for 3 months.ResultsThirty-one (31%) patients showed combined GERD and bronchial asthma. Twenty-three patients showed significant improvement in asthma control after combined therapy (p value 0.01).Twenty-three patients showed significant improvement in lung function (FEV1 more than 80%), maintained moderate dose of inhaled corticosteroid without rescue medication (p value 0.01).ConclusionGERD is an important cause of uncontrolled asthma and its management significantly improves the uncontrolled asthma and significantly reduces the inhaled oral corticosteroid.