Treating Acid Reflux Reduces Asthma Symptoms

Daily use of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to treat acid reflux reduces asthma exacerbations and improves general well-being in people with both severe asthma and symptoms of acid reflux. Researchers reported this finding at the 67th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology, held October 21-23, 2002, in Seattle, Wash. The study involved 207 people with asthma who had symptoms of acid reflux. A significant reduction in severe asthma attacks was found among subjects with severe asthma (ie, those who took more than 1 long-term maintenance medication) who were randomized to a PPI. Improved quality of life was also found among this subgroup. The improvements associated with the use of a PPI were not found among subjects with less severe asthma, however.