EXPLORE!

GERD Update: Role of ranitidine in asthmatic children and adolescents with or without gastro-oesophageal reflux

  1332 Views

eMediNexus    26 November 2021

Gustafsson et al sought to determine the significance of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) as a trigger of asthma. Therefore, they conducted a double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled trial over four weeks to evaluate the impact of inhibition of gastric acid secretion on asthma. Overall, 37 children and adolescents, mean age 14 years, with bronchial asthma were studied.

Ranitidine 300 mg was given as a single evening dose over the study duration. A dose of 150 mg was given in those with body weight less than 40 kg.

Eighteen of the 37 patients were found to have pathological GER through 24 h pH monitoring in the esophagus in prior investigations. Rest of the 19 patients with normal GER acted as controls for the effects of ranitidine on asthma, not related to decrease in GER.

  • There was a modest 30%, though statistically significant, reduction in nocturnal asthma symptoms with ranitidine use in the patients with pathological GER, in comparison with normal GER.
  • A significant correlation between improvement in asthma symptoms and degree of acid reflux was evident.
  • Ranitidine therapy had negligible side-effects.

Source: Gustafsson PM, Kjellman NI, Tibbling L. A trial of ranitidine in asthmatic children and adolescents with or without pathological gastro-oesophageal reflux. Eur Respir J 1992;5:201-6.

To comment on this article,
create a free account.

Sign Up to instantly get access to 10000+ Articles & 1000+ Cases

Already registered?

Login Now

Most Popular Articles

News and Updates

eMediNexus provides latest updates on medical news, medical case studies from India. In-depth medical case studies and research designed for doctors and healthcare professionals.