COPD Increases Risk For Acid Reflux

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be at an increased risk for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a new study shows. Researchers from Spain calculated the incidence of GERD in 1,628 patients with a first diagnosis of COPD. Researchers also calculated the incidence of COPD in 4,391 patients with a first diagnosis of GERD. Both groups were compared with ageand gender-matched comparison cohorts without either diagnosis. During the 5-year follow-up, the relative risk of incidence of COPD in patients with GERD was 1.17, while the relative risk of incidence for GERD in patients with COPD was 1.46. The study emphasizes that the two diseases coexist, and that COPD may predispose patients to GERD. Furthermore, researchers speculate that although GERD does not appear to predispose patients to COPD, GERD may worsen preexisting COPD. This study is published in the December issue of the journal CHEST.