Is mis-swallowing or smoking a cause of respiratory symptoms in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease?

Respiratory symptoms were studied in 119 patients operated on for fundoplication and crural repair because of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The effect of antireflux surgery and of smoking habits on their respiratory symptoms was evaluated. A questionnaire was completed before and after surgery in connection with esophageal investigations.

Remission of angina pectoris and dyspnea by fundoplication in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

This study investigates 113 consecutive patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease before and after fundoplication and crural repair with respect to symptomatic improvement of chest pain, angina pectoris, exercise-linked chest pain, meal-linked chest pain, dyspnea, and air hunger, and any correlation between these items and smoking habits. The patients were followed by identical questionnaires completed at the time of oesophageal manometric examination prior to operation and from 6 months up to more than 5 years after operation. There was a highly significant reduction in all kinds of chest pain including angina pectoris, and of dyspnea at follow-up independent of smoking habits.

Lung permeability in smokers after ambroxol treatment.

There is evidence suggesting the involvement of the surfactant system in the development of lung diseases in cigarette smokers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Ambroxol on lung epithelial permeability (LEP) in healthy smokers. Ambroxol is known to stimulate surfactant production.

Effect of nifedipine on allergen-induced bronchoconstriction.

The effect of nifedipine on allergen-induced asthma in nine asthmatic subjects was studied. All subjects had a history of asthma and positive Prick test; lyophilized allergen extracts of Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus were used. All solutions were inhaled through DeVilbiss nebulizer.

Increase in tracheal size with age. Implications for maximal expiratory flow.

Because mechanical properties of central airways play an important role in determining maximal expiratory flow, we examined how tracheal size and maximal expiratory flow changed with age in 50 asymptomatic men, 19 to 61 yr of age, who were lifelong nonsmokers. Cross-sectional area (X-SA) of the intrathoracic trachea was estimated from posteroanterior and lateral chest radiographs taken at full inflation. Maximal expiratory flow-volume curves and spirometry were measured by standard techniques.