Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0017168 (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
 11,783 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Anticholinergics (in particular, ipratropium bromide [Atrovent]) are first-line therapy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although more studies are needed to support the use of combination therapy, adding an inhaled beta agonist to the therapeutic regimen is reasonable in patients who remain symptomatic and need quick relief. Patients frequently receive inadequate amounts of drug with standard doses delivered by metered-dose inhalers, often as the result of improper technique, so symptomatic patients may require higher doses. Caution is recommended when the dose of inhaled sympathomimetics is increased in COPD patients with ischemic heart disease or tachyarrhythmias. The addition of an oral sympathomimetic is seldom necessary. Theophylline may be considered in outpatients who remain symptomatic despite their use of inhaled bronchodilators, but heart disease, seizure disorders, and gastroesophageal reflux are contraindications. Corticosteroid therapy remains controversial but can be helpful in patients who still have severe disease despite maximum bronchodilator therapy. Antibiotics can be of benefit in COPD patients undergoing an exacerbation who have increasing dyspnea, cough, and phlegm production.
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PMID:Drug treatment of COPD. Controversies about agents and how to deliver them. 134 54

The treatment of neonatal apnea and bradycardia with methylated xanthines--theophylline and caffeine--is generally accepted. Besides the desired effects of these drugs they induce a wide range of side effects including relaxation of smooth muscles and increased gastric secretion. The aims of this study were, at first to investigate the coincidence of periodic breathing (PA) and acid gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) in neonates (n = 15) without therapy; at second to examine the influence of the consecutive medication with theophylline and caffeine on these parameters in patients (n = 10) with recurrent episodes of bradycardia and apnea. A 24 h esophageal pH-monitoring and 24 h cardiorespirography were performed simultaneously under standarized conditions. In the 15 neonates studied a weak correlation was found between the time spent breathing periodically and the duration of GER; the overlap of PB and GER was minimal. Theophylline and caffeine medication resulted in a marked reduction of PB which was more pronounced than it could be expected from maturation. The total time of a 24 h esophageal pH-monitoring was subdivided in an early postprandial time (FPP: first two hours after the beginning of a meal) and a late postprandial time (SPP: remaining time until the following meal). An increased duration of acid GER was observed during the SPP under therapy with theophylline and even more distinct with caffeine treatment.
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PMID:[Effect of methylxanthines on periodic respiration and acid gastroesophageal reflux in newborn infants]. 235 35

Theophylline and caffeine are two xanthine-derivated drugs frequently administered for their stimulating effects on the respiratory center in premature babies presenting with "idiopathic apnea". These drugs are known to increase the gastric acid secretion and to decrease the lower esophageal sphincter pressure, that in turn possibly increase gastroesophageal reflux. We studied 14 premature babies presenting with "idiopathic apnea", treated with caffeine at recommended dose (2.5 mg/kg/day). At 24 hour continuous esophageal pH monitoring was performed 3 to 5 days after starting the treatment. In 6 babies total reflux time (5.6% of the investigation time with ph less than 4) and the number of refluxes in 24 hours (15.3) were significantly increased compared to the other 8 babies (pH less than 4: 0.92%; number of refluxes 6.1). These results were also compared to the results obtained ina symptomatic full term neonates (5-10 days old) (pH less than 4: 0.87; number 5.3/24 hours). The results we obtained in the caffeine treated group were independent of the plasma xanthine levels (all within or below therapeutic ranges). A second pH monitoring 2 weeks after stopping caffeine administration was always within normal ranges. The increase of gastroesophageal reflux seems individual for each patient. Gastroesophageal reflux can lead to pulmonary aspiration, and, in this way, it can be the origin of obstructive apnea or aspiration pneumonia.
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PMID:[Xanthines in apnea of premature infants. Influence on gastroesophageal reflux]. 361 72

Theophylline and caffeine are two drugs frequently administered to infants at risk for sudden infant death syndrome, because of their stimulatory effects on the respiratory system. These drugs are known to increase gastric acid secretion and to decrease lower esophageal sphincter pressure that, in turn, possibly increases gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Thirty babies were tested for GER before and during caffeine treatment. Eighteen were studied under the same conditions while undergoing theophylline treatment. All results of pH monitoring before treatment were within normal ranges. Episodes of GER increased significantly (P less than .001) in about 50% of the group treated with caffeine and in 66% of the group treated with theophylline. These results were independent of plasma xanthine concentrations (within or below therapeutic ranges) and of the efficacy of the drug. In addition, an increase was noted for the number of episodes of GER in 24 hours (from 5.3 to 17.1 in the caffeine group and from 5.3 to 24.3 in the theophylline group) and for the time pH was less than 4 (from 0.87% to 6% in the caffeine group and up to 13% in the theophylline group). Because GER is another known risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome, the administration of xanthine derivatives in babies at risk for sudden infant death syndrome should be carefully considered in each case.
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PMID:Influence of xanthines on gastroesophageal reflux in infants at risk for sudden infant death syndrome. 371 71

A retrospective study was undertaken to assess the association between esophageal pH monitoring variables and signs such as regurgitation, vomiting, apnea, bradycardia, and cyanotic episodes attributable to gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in neonates. One hundred thirty-four infants with one or more of the above-described signs underwent 24-hour distal esophageal pH monitoring in the neonatal intensive care unit, and were divided into 2 groups by gestational age. Group 1 (preterm infant group) consisted of infants aged 25 to 36 weeks of gestation ( n = 45) and group 2 (term infant group) consisted of infants aged 37 to 42 weeks gestation ( n = 89). Esophageal pH monitoring variables were compared by gestational age group and within preterm infants by theophylline treatment and, separately, by nasogastric tube using the Mann-Whitney U test. Comparisons of nominal data were made using the chi square test. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the net effect of each independent variable on the risk of developing GER. The prevalence of GER was not influenced by gestational age. The prevalence of gastrointestinal signs did not differ between groups. Cardiorespiratory signs attributed to GER were more frequent in preterm infants than in term infants. The number of episodes with pH < 4 in 24 hours was greater in the term compared with the preterm infant groups. Logistic regression analysis failed to detect an association between acid GER and gestational age, apnea, bradycardia, cyanotic episodes, vomiting, or regurgitation. Theophylline treatment and the presence of a nasogastric tube did not significantly affect the esophageal pH monitoring variables in preterm infants. Preterm infants have a smaller number of reflux episodes compared with term infants. In addition, treatment with theophylline for apnea of prematurity and the presence of a nasogastric tube in preterm infants did not significantly affect pH-monitoring variables in preterm infants.
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PMID:Esophageal pH study and symptomatology of gastroesophageal reflux in newborn infants. 1501 72

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) afflicts approximately 20% of adults in the United States on a weekly basis and 40% on a monthly basis, and is also a trigger for asthma. The prevalence of GERD is higher in asthmatics compared to control groups, with 77% of asthma patients having reflux symptoms and 82% of asthmatics having abnormal esophageal acid contact times on 24-hour esophageal pH testing. Esophageal acid elicits respiratory responses including decreases in airflow, oxygen saturation, and increases in respiratory resistance, minute ventilation, and respiratory rate. Mechanisms of esophageal acid-induced bronchoconstriction include a vagally-mediated reflex, heightened bronchial reactivity, and microaspiration. Esophageal acid also produces airway neurogenic inflammatory responses with the release of substance P, tachykinins, nitric oxide, and other cytokines. Predisposing factors to GERD development in asthmatics include autonomic dysregulation, an increased pressure gradient between the thorax and the abdomen, a high prevalence of hiatal hernia, and altered crural diaphragm function. Theophylline may also potentiate GERD. Therapy of GERD improves asthma outcome. In combined studies examining 326 medically treated asthma patients, asthma symptoms improved in 69% of patients. Surgical therapy trials in 417 asthma patients show asthma symptoms improved in 79%. Management strategies for GERD in asthmatics with reflux symptoms include utilizing an empiric trial of a proton pump inhibitor for three months while measuring asthma outcomes. Since GERD may be clinically ''silent'' in asthma patients, consider 24-hour esophageal pH testing in severe asthma patients who do not have GERD symptoms. Future research will develop the association between asthma and GERD.
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PMID:The potential role of gastroesophageal reflux in asthma. 1649 63