%0 Journal Article
%T Nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux and respiratory symptoms are increased in sleep apnoea: comparison with the general population.
%A Emilsson ÖI
%A Aspelund T
%A Janson C
%A Benediktsdottir B
%A Juliusson S
%A Maislin G
%A Pack AI
%A Keenan BT
%A Gislason T
%J BMJ Open Respir Res
%V 11
%N 1
%D 2024 Mar 25
%M 38531547
%F 5.054
%R 10.1136/bmjresp-2023-002192
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To assess respiratory symptoms and nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux (nGER) among untreated obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients, compared with the general population. Also, if nGER associates differently with respiratory symptoms among OSA patients.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>2 study cohorts were included: 822 newly diagnosed subjects with moderate-severe OSA and 738 Icelandic general population study participants. All participants answered the same questionnaires. Those reporting nGER symptoms at least once per week were defined as 'with nGER'; those without nGER symptoms and without nGER medication were defined as 'no nGER'; and other participants were defined as having 'possible nGER'. Propensity score-based weights were used to minimise confounding and selection bias and facilitate causal interpretations.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The prevalence of nGER among OSA patients was 14.1%, compared with 5.8% in the general population. This increased prevalence in OSA was not explained by differences in age, gender, body mass index, smoking, hypertension and diabetes (adjusted OR (95% CI)=3.79 (2.24 to 6.43)). OSA patients 'with nGER' and with 'possible nGER' reported more wheezing (44% and 44% vs 25%, respectively) and productive cough (47% and 42% vs 29%, respectively), compared with OSA patients with 'no nGER'. The same pattern was seen in the general population, although with a generally lower prevalence. The effect of nGER on respiratory symptoms was similar between the two cohorts.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>nGER was more often reported among untreated moderate-severe OSA patients than in the general population. Participants with nGER had more wheezing and productive cough, both among untreated OSA patients and in the general population.