Interstitial lung disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease: key role of esophageal function tests in the diagnosis and treatment.

Context: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common in patients with respiratory disorders and interstitial lung fibrosis from diverse disease processes. However, a cause-effect relationship has not been well demonstrated. It is hypothesized that there might be more than a coincidental association between GERD and interstitial lung damage.