Effect of Short Esophageal Acidification on Airway Hyperreactivity

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Abstract
The influence of short esophageal acidification on the bronchial reaction to methacholine was assessed by quantitative methacholine challenge tests after ingestion of orange-juice (pH 2.7). We studied 15 stable asthmatics and 10 hyperreactive nonasthmatics. After the acidic drink, airway hyperreactivity increased in 6 of the 15 asthmatics and 4 of the 10 hyperreactive nonasthmatics. For the groups as a whole, this response did not reach statistical significance in either group. Nevertheless, the finding that 40% of the patients responded to short esophageal acidification by an increase in airway hyperreactivity points out the importance of low esophageal pH values as a possible triggering factor of asthmatic attacks