Nocturnal reflux, snoring linked to increased risk of asthma, respiratory problems

People with nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and habitual snoring are vulnerable to developing asthma and respiratory symptoms, according to a study.

For the study, researchers used data from the population-based prospective questionnaire study Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE). A total of 11,024 RHINE participants were included in the analysis.

Nocturnal GER was defined as the occurrence of heartburn or belching after going to bed, at least 1 night per week. Habitual snoring, on the other hand, was characterized as reported loud snoring at least 3 nights per week. Participants were grouped into four according to their reflux and snoring status: never, former, incident, and persistent.

Incident respiratory symptoms (ie, wheeze, cough, chest tightness, breathlessness) were assessed among participants without respective symptoms at baseline.

Both snoring and nocturnal GER were independently associated with incident asthma and respiratory symptoms. Specifically, the risk of incident wheeze was elevated for participants with incident or persistent snoring (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.44, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.21–1.72), those with nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux (aOR, 2.18, 95 percent CI, 1.60–2.98), and those with both snoring and nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux (aOR, 2.59, 95 percent CI, 1.83–3.65).

Likewise, the risk of developing asthma was high for participants with incident or persistent snoring (aOR, 1.44, 95 percent CI, 1.15–1.82), those with nocturnal GER (aOR, 1.99, 95 percent CI, 1.35–2.93), and those with both snoring and nocturnal GER (aOR, 1.72, 95 percent CI, 1.06–2.77). There was no significant interaction found between snoring and nocturnal GER.

A similar pattern was seen for the incidence of all other respiratory symptoms studied, with the highest risk seen among those with both incident or persistent nocturnal GER and snoring.