Combined Lung-Sound- and Reflux-Monitoring: A pilot study of a novel approach to detect nocturnal respiratory symptoms in Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Steffen Kunsch (1) , Volker Gross (2) , Albrecht Neesse (3) , Christoph Nell (4) , Keywan Sohrabi (2) , Thomas Gress (3, 5) , Volker Ellenrieder (3) , Ulrich Köhler (4)

1 Department of Gastroenterology
2 Department of Biomedical Engineering
3 Department of Gastroenterology
4 Department of Pulmonary Diseases
5 Klinik für Innere Medizin

Background and aims: Increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms has been commonly reported in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Here, we 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 objectively measure 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 to determine and quantify the impact of therapeutic interventions such as antireflux therapy on respiratory symptoms.

Mots clés: Medicine

Steffen Kunsch, Volker Gross, Albrecht Neesse, Christoph Nell, Keywan Sohrabi, et al.. Combined Lung-Sound- and Reflux-Monitoring: A pilot study of a novel approach to detect nocturnal respiratory symptoms in Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2011, 33 (5), pp.592. ⟨10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04559.x⟩. ⟨hal-00605687⟩