BACKGROUND: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic disorder of the upper gastrointestinal tract with global distribution. GERD often coexists with asthma, COPD and is often responsible for their exacerbations. In India, we do not have any clinical data on GERD either in bronchial asthma or COPD. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of GERD in adult patients with asthma, COPD and to determine its correlates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 subjects each in bronchial asthma

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... and COPD groups underwent assessment with the frequency scale for the symptoms of GERD (FSSG) Questionnaire for GERD. A score of 8 and above was taken as positive for GERD. The confirmation of GERD was done by Gastroesophageal endoscopy to all GERD positive cases. Grading of GERD was done with endoscopy report according to Los Angeles grading. FSSG score was evaluated in detail and the risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of GERD in bronchial asthma patients was 40%, while in COPD cases it was 30%. It was observed that by using FSSG questionnaire, the number of patients showing predominance of regurgitation related symptoms were higher in the asthma group (52%) as compared to the COPD group (37%). In COPD group, the number of patients showing predominance of dysmotility-related symptoms was higher (42%) as compared to asthma group (35%). As the severity of both the diseases increased, the severity of GERD also increased as assessed by Los Angeles grading. CONCLUSIONS: According to the current study, more than one-third of adult patients with asthma have GERD and another nearly one third have GERD in COPD cases. Thus high suspicion is required in these cases for the adequate control of either asthma or COPD.