Link between acid reflux and sleep apnea challenged
- Date:
- April 13, 2010
- Source:
- American College of Chest Physicians
- Summary:
- New research suggests that a causal link between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may not exist.
- Share:
New research suggests that a causal link between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may not exist.
Researchers from the Medical College of Wisconsin studied the sleep events of nine patients with GER without OSA, six patients with OSA without GER, 11 patients with OSA and GER, and 15 control subjects. Although GER is thought to be induced by decreasing intraesophageal pressure during OSA, study results showed that esophageal pressures progressively increased during OSA. The incidence of GER during sleep in patients with OSA and GER did not differ from the remaining three groups.
Researchers speculate that OSA may not induce GER or other reflux events.
This study is published in the April issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians.
Story Source:
Materials provided by American College of Chest Physicians. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- S. Kuribayashi, B. T. Massey, M. Hafeezullah, L. Perera, S. Q Hussaini, L. Tatro, R. J. Darling, R. Franco, R. Shaker. Upper Esophageal Sphincter and Gastroesophageal Junction Pressure Changes Act to Prevent Gastroesophageal and Esophagopharyngeal Reflux during Apneic Episodes in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Chest, 2009; DOI: 10.1378/chest.09-0913
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