Abstract:
Introduction: Asthmatics have increased prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
(GERD). Gastric antral hypomotility may contribute to this. Gastric motility has been little
studied in asthma.
Objective: To study gastric emptying (GE) of a liquid meal in adult asthmatics and
investigate association with GERD symptoms and autonomic functions.
Method: GE response to 200mL of chicken soup (54kJ, 15% protein, 30% fat and 65%
carbohydrate) was assessed by real time ultrasonography in 30 stable, mild asthmatics
(diagnosed according to American Thoracic Society Criteria) and 30 healthy controls.
Percentage emptying at 15 minutes (GER%) and antral motility index were measured.
Symptomatic GERD was assessed by a validated questionnaire, and autonomic nervous
function by blood pressure and heart rate response to standing and deep breathing and the
Valsalva maneuver.
Results: The asthmatics (15 males, age (mean ± SD) 34.7 ± 8.4) and controls were
comparable in age, gender and body mass index. On autonomic function assessment, 3
asthmatics showed hypervagal response, 2 showed reduced vagal response but none showed
a hyperadrenergic response. They were only on inhaled ��-agonists as required. Although,
20 asthmatics had symptomatic GERD, none had endoscopic gastric pathology. Compared
to controls, asthmatics had significantly delayed GER% (mean ± SD 55.4±14.4 versus
64.0±13.5, p=0.036) and lower antral motility index (mean ± SD 4.9±1.5 versus 6.4±1.4,
p=<O.OO 1 ). There was no significant association of GE parameters with presence of GERD
symptoms or autonomic function.
Conclusion: Asthmatics have delayed gastric emptying and impaired antral motility,
independent of GERD status or autonomic nervous function.
