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Children with both asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD) may reduce their use of asthma medication by up to
50 percent after being treated for GERD, according to a study.
The study involved 27 children with persistent moderate asthma
and GERD and another 19 children with asthma but no symptoms
of GERD.
Of the children with both asthma and GERD, 18 received drugs,
including prescription heartburn relievers known as proton
pump inhibitors (PPIs), and nine had surgery to treat GERD.
After one year, the children who received GERD treatment,
whether medication or surgery, were able to reduce their asthma
medication by more than 50 percent, according to researchers.
Among the children with no GERD symptoms, 2 of 8 children
who took anti-GERD medication reduced their asthma medication
usage, however the children who took no such medication did
not.
Researchers noted that anti-GERD treatments might be effective
in reducing children’s asthma medication usage, leading
to fewer trips to the emergency room and fewer missed days
of school.
Chest
April, 2003;123:1008-1013
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