RESUMO
This study included 25 COPD inpatients in chest, ICU and internal medicine departments in Damanhur National medical Institute., 10 of them with moderate COPD and 15 of them with severe COPD [by gold 2007][1]. 21 were males and 4 were females [active or passive smokers]. The aim of the work was to study the prevalence of GERD in COPD patients and its effect on the number of exacerbations of COPD. Both groups were subjected to history taking, full clinical examination, full laboratory investigations, Chest radiography, spirometry, arterial blood gases and upper GIT endoscopy and biopsy. Results revealed that the prevalence of GERD in COPD patients by endoscopy was 36% in the moderate group, 64% in the severe group. By biopsy being more prevalent in the severe group of COPD 86.6% compared to70% in moderate COPD. GERD severity increases as the degree of COPD increases. GERD increases with increase in the smoking [pack/year] both in moderate, in the severe group. Moreover, there was increase in the frequency of exacerbations of COPD in GERD patients both in moderate and severe groups. This study revealed that the frequency of exacerbation was higher among GERD cases with statistically significant difference in between both group From this study we conclude that GERD is common in COPD patients being more among severe COPD. Also GERD increase the number of exacerbations of COPD