Combined lung-sound and reflux-monitoring: a pilot study of a novel approach to detect nocturnal respiratory symptoms in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

Abstract

Background: Increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms has been commonly reported in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Aim: To introduce a novel Lung-Sound-Monitoring device that allows simultaneous measurement of both nocturnal respiratory symptoms and episodes of acidic and biliary refluxes.

Methods: Nocturnal respiratory symptoms (coughing and wheezing) were continuously recorded in 20 healthy subjects and 30 reflux patients with respiratory symptoms in parallel to combined pH-monitoring and Bilitec measurement.

Results: Analysis could be completed in 20 healthy subjects and in 25 patients with reflux. A clear temporal correlation to reflux phases was detected in 49% of coughing and 41% of wheezing events, respectively. Moreover, 89% of the coughing and 100% of the wheezing events succeeded reflux episodes. Finally, the technique was capable of assessing a statistically significant difference between patients and controls regarding the occurrence of these symptoms.

Conclusions: Our pilot study establishes the Lung-Sound-Monitoring system as a unique tool to measure objectively the temporal correlation between gastroesophageal reflux and the appearance of respiratory symptoms. It represents a useful technique to identify patients with respiratory symptoms due to reflux, and therefore allows one to determine and quantify the impact of therapeutic interventions such as antireflux therapy on respiratory symptoms.