GERD weakly associated with asthma exacerbation in kids: Study

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is highly prevalent and often coexists with asthma exacerbation. Divergent findings of the association between the two diseases were reported.

A group of researchers from Spain conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine if there exists an association between Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and asthma.

The researchers searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and other databases, then performed a manual search, to identify eligible studies. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed and random effect models. Following which they evaluated the quality of included studies, explored heterogeneity between studies, undertook subgroup analyses, assessed publication bias, and performed sensitivity analyses.

The results of the study are as follows:

• A total of 32 eligible studies were identified, conducted in 14 countries and including a total of 1612361 patients of all ages.
• Overall, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) shows a weak association with asthma exacerbation.
• This association was observed in the cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional designs, and in European as well as non-European populations. Subgroup analyses show that Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is associated with frequent asthma exacerbations (≥ 3 exacerbations, OR= 1.59; 95% CI 1.13 to 2.24) and with exacerbations needing oral corticosteroid therapy.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) paediatric patients are at higher odds of asthma exacerbation than adults.
• The researchers did not detect any evidence of publication bias and the association between Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and asthma exacerbation held in all undertaken sensitivity analyses.

Thus, the researchers concluded that Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and asthma exacerbation are weakly associated.

Reference:

A study titled, "Gastroesophageal reflux disease and asthma exacerbation: A systematic review and meta-analysis" by Mallah N et. al published in the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology.

https://doi.org/10.1111/pai.13655