An effect of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) on respiratory function was studied in elderly patients. Twenty-seven patients with, and 29 patients without, abnormal gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) in 24-hour pH monitoring were included in the study. Symptoms suggestive of gastro oesophageal reflux disease were recorded and spirometry was performed in all the patients. Patients with abnormal GOR had lower vital capacity (percentage of predicted value) (VC) than those with normal pH monitoring result (92 vs 102, p=0.032). Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) did not differ between these two groups. Thirty-two per cent of patients with slight and 73of patients with moderate or severe reflux in pH monitoring had abnormal VC, FVC, or FEV1(less than 80of predicted value) at spirometry (vs 30of patients without reflux, p=0.039). When patients were divided according to their symptoms suggestive of GORD, lower VC, FVC, and FEV1were found in patients with than in those without symptoms (87 vs 102, p=0.0018; 76 vs 91, p=0.0099; 80 vs 93, p=0.0026) In conclusion, mainly a restrictive ventilatory defect was associated with GORD in elderly patients.
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