Nós investigamos o perfil inflamatório do lavado broncoalveolar (LBA) em crianças portadoras de asma de difícil controle apesar do tratamento com corticóide oral e sua relação com parâmetros clínicos e funcionais. O LBA foi realizado em 24 crianças com asma de difícil controle (13M/11F; idade média de 13 anos) e 5 controles. Houve aumento do número de neutrófilos em 15 das 24 crianças (60%) portadoras de asma de difícil controle (mediana 15%, 5-43%) e aumento de eosinófilos em 5 pacientes (mediana 9%, 6.5%-18.5%). Observou-se uma correlação entre a necessidade de corticóide oral e o número de internações e o percentual de eosinófilos no LBA. Ocorreu uma tendência de maiores números de neutrófilos no lavado e uma pior função pulmonar. Nós identificamos dois subgrupos de crianças portadoras de asma de difícil controle com características clínicas e funcionais distintas. Pacientes com aumento do percentual de neutrófilos tendem a apresentar uma pior função pulmonar. Um pequeno número de pacientes apresentou um padrão eosinofílico no lavado broncoalveolar com função pulmonar normal, porém sinais de instabilidade clínica. / Therapy resistant asthma is a major clinical problem in childhood. We investigated the inflammatory cell profile in the airways of children with severe asthma despite systemic steroid treatment and the relationship with clinical and functional severity. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed in 24 children with severe asthma (13M/11F; mean age 12.5 yrs, range 5-l4 yrs), and 5 controls. All received prednisolone prior to BAL. Neutrophils were the predominant inflammatory cell type in BAL in 15/24 (60%) children with asthma (median 15%, 5-43%).and only 5 patients had increases in eosinophils (median 9%, 6.5%-18,5%). There was a correlation between higher BAL eosinophils and more admissions Patients with higher BAL neutrophils showed a trend for lower pre-BAL lung function. We identified subgroups of children with severe asthma presenting different clinical and functional characteristics. Patients with increased percentages in BAL neutrophils showed a trend for lower lung function. A small number of patients presented eosinophilic airway inflammation in BAL with virtually normal lung function but showing signs of clinical instability.

A lesão medular espinhal está entre as lesões mais graves que uma pessoa pode ter como experiência. Os efeitos pessoais e sociais são profundamente significantes, pois conferem uma incapacidade permanente sobre as pessoas acometidas. Quando acontece uma agressão à medula espinhal, ocorre um déficit na inervação abaixo da lesão, por perda do controle supraespinhal. Muitas são as conseqüências advindas das mudanças ocorridas na mecânica respiratória, conseqüente da lesão medular acima do sexto segmento torácico, como a superficialidade da respiração, ineficiência da tosse e do espirro, alterações do clearence mucociliar e aumento da complacência abdominal. Tais fatores promovem alterações nos volumes, capacidades e pressões respiratórias, dificultando aos indivíduos tetraplégicos e paraplégicos, com lesão torácica alta, serem colocados em pé, com auxílio de dispositivos, como a mesa ortostática. Com o intuito de verificar o efeito do uso da cinta abdominal elástica na função respiratória, em indivíduos lesados medulares, na posição ortostática em angulações de 60° e 60°/90°, foram mensurados, a capacidade vital, volume corrente, pressão inspiratória e expiratória máxima e saturação de oxigênio. Participaram 56 indivíduos, com predomínio do gênero masculino, apresentando média de idade de 35,4 anos e maior freqüência motora de lesão em T4. Estes foram divididos em quatro grupos distintos em relação ao uso ou não da cinta e angulações da mesa ortostática. Os resultados encontrados para os parâmetros avaliados, não demonstraram significância estatística em relação ao uso ou não da cinta abdominal elástica entre os grupos. No entanto, as médias dos grupos com o uso da cinta, apresentaram-se mais altas em todas as avaliações. Podemos considerar que a cinta não interferiu na melhora significativa dos parâmetros respiratórios. Porém, muitos indivíduos referem utilizá-la como um suporte abdominal, proporcionando estabilização na postura do tronco quando em pé. Estudos com ensaios clínicos aleatórios devem ser propostos para mensurar o efeito que a cinta abdominal elástica proporciona aos indivíduos lesados medulares que a utilizam freqüentemente durante o posicionamento ortostático. / Spinal cord injury is one of the most severe injuries that someone can experience. The personal and social impacts are deeply significant as they cause a permanent disability to the injured person. When the spinal cord injury takes place it results in anervous deficit below the injury site by loss of upper spinal control. There are many consequences of the changes to the respiratory biomechanics, due to the injury above the sixth thoracic segment, such as the superficial respiratory capacity, cough and sneeze inefficiency, mucociliary clearance changes and abdominal complacence increase. These complications cause volume, capacity and pressure disturbances that make it difficult to put tetraplegic and paraplegic individuals with high thoracic injury into a standing up position, even with the assistance of devices like the orthostatic table. The vital capacity, the tidal volume, the maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures and the oxygen saturation were measured to ascertain the effect of the elastic abdominal binder to the respiratory function of individuals with spinal cord injury at the orthostatic position on 60º and 60º/90º angulations. 56 individuals were chosen, mostly men, at the average age of 35.4 and higher motor frequency injury at the T4. They were divided into four different groups according to the binder use and the orthostatic table angulation’s. Results did not show statistic significance to using or not using the binder between the groups. However, the averages of the groups that used the binder were the highest in all the measurements. It can be said that the binder did not interfere to the significant improvement of the respiratory patterns. In spite of that, many people say they prefer to use the binder as an abdominal support that provides stability to the body when they are standing up. Randomized clinic studies should be done to measure the elastic abdominal binder effects provided to the individuals with spinal cord injuries that often use it into the orthostatic position.

Nós investigamos o perfil inflamatório do lavado broncoalveolar (LBA) em crianças portadoras de asma de difícil controle apesar do tratamento com corticóide oral e sua relação com parâmetros clínicos e funcionais. O LBA foi realizado em 24 crianças com asma de difícil controle (13M/11F; idade média de 13 anos) e 5 controles. Houve aumento do número de neutrófilos em 15 das 24 crianças (60%) portadoras de asma de difícil controle (mediana 15%, 5-43%) e aumento de eosinófilos em 5 pacientes (mediana 9%, 6.5%-18.5%). Observou-se uma correlação entre a necessidade de corticóide oral e o número de internações e o percentual de eosinófilos no LBA. Ocorreu uma tendência de maiores números de neutrófilos no lavado e uma pior função pulmonar. Nós identificamos dois subgrupos de crianças portadoras de asma de difícil controle com características clínicas e funcionais distintas. Pacientes com aumento do percentual de neutrófilos tendem a apresentar uma pior função pulmonar. Um pequeno número de pacientes apresentou um padrão eosinofílico no lavado broncoalveolar com função pulmonar normal, porém sinais de instabilidade clínica. / Therapy resistant asthma is a major clinical problem in childhood. We investigated the inflammatory cell profile in the airways of children with severe asthma despite systemic steroid treatment and the relationship with clinical and functional severity. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed in 24 children with severe asthma (13M/11F; mean age 12.5 yrs, range 5-l4 yrs), and 5 controls. All received prednisolone prior to BAL. Neutrophils were the predominant inflammatory cell type in BAL in 15/24 (60%) children with asthma (median 15%, 5-43%).and only 5 patients had increases in eosinophils (median 9%, 6.5%-18,5%). There was a correlation between higher BAL eosinophils and more admissions Patients with higher BAL neutrophils showed a trend for lower pre-BAL lung function. We identified subgroups of children with severe asthma presenting different clinical and functional characteristics. Patients with increased percentages in BAL neutrophils showed a trend for lower lung function. A small number of patients presented eosinophilic airway inflammation in BAL with virtually normal lung function but showing signs of clinical instability.

Introdução: A capacidade de exercício tem sido pouco estudadaem pacientes combronquiolite obliterante pós-infecciosa (BOPI). Além disso, há poucos estudos avaliando indivíduos após a infância. Objetivos: Avaliar a capacidade aeróbia máxima em pacientes adolescentes e adultos com diagnóstico prévio de BOPI e identificar os mecanismos de limitação ao exercício. Métodos: Estudo transversal com recuperação retrospectiva de testes espirométricos de 4-6 anos antes dos atuais. Foram estudados 16 pacientes com BOPI (10-23 anos), acompanhados em um ambulatório de atendimento terciário. Todos os indivíduos realizaram teste de função pulmonar em repouso e teste de exercício cardiopulmonar com pesquisa de broncoespasmo induzido pelo exercício (BIE). Um grupo composto de 10 indivíduos saudáveis, pareado por sexo, idade e altura, foi usado como controle. Resultados: Quando comparados ao grupo controle, os pacientes com BOPI apresentaram pior função pulmonar em repouso, com moderada a grave obstrução ao fluxo de ar e aprisionamento aéreo. Capacidade aeróbica de pico foi significativamente menor nos pacientes ( O2 pico: 87±22 vs 110±21% previsto; p=0,01), com uma maior proporção de pacientes com capacidade aeróbica abaixo do normal [ O2 pico<84% previsto: 7/16(44%) vs 1/10(10%); p= 0,09]. A capacidade aeróbica máxima (expressa tanto em valores absolutos como em % previsto) dos pacientes foi significativamente associada com idade (r=0,59, p=0,02), índice de massa corpórea (IMC) (r=0,55, p=0,03), capacidade difusiva pulmonar (DLCO% previsto) (r=0,66, p=0,01), capacidade inspiratória (CI) / capacidade pulmonar total (CPT) (r=0,52, p=0,04) e volume residual (RV) / CPT (r=-0,56, p=0,03). Nenhuma associação foi encontrada, no entanto, entre a O2 de pico e os valores finais de exercícios e variação da oximetria de pulso (SpO2), relação ventilação de pico/ventilação voluntária máxima( E/VVM) e outros valores da função pulmonar em repouso quando expresso em % do previsto. Por outro lado, o volume expiratório forçado no 1ºs (VEF1) foi moderadamente correlacionado com DLCO (r=0,59, p=0,03) e fortemente com CI/CPT (r=0,90, p=0,00) e VR/CPT (r=-0,89, p=0,00). Valores espirométricos atuais não foram diferentes dos de 4-6 anos atrás, quando expresso em % do previsto [VEF1: 60±30 vs 60±22; capacidade vital forçada (CVF): 73±22 vs 69±14], embora, quando expresso em litros, valores atuais foram maiores (VEF1: 1,94±0,93 vs 1,14±0,50; CVF: 2,79±0,89 vs 1,52±0,45, p<0,01). Conclusão: Pacientes adolescentes e adultos com BOPI apresentaram uma capacidade aeróbia de pico reduzida em comparação comcontroles saudáveis, sendo que aproximadamente metade dos pacientes tiveram redução da capacidade aeróbica quando expresso em porcentagem do previsto. A capacidade aeróbica de pico foi diretamente relacionada com a idade, a capacidade de difusão pulmonar e os parâmetros de hiperinflação pulmonar e aprisionamento aéreo. Quanto maior a limitação do fluxo de ar (menor VEF1) maior foi a hiperinsuflação e aprisionamento aéreo. / Introduction: Repercussion in exercise capacity has been poorly studied in patients with post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PBO). Additionally, studies have mainly evaluated children and a follow-up in older subjects is lacking. Aims: Evaluate with maximal incremental cardiopulmonary exercise tests older adolescents and adults with previous diagnosis of PBO and indentify the mechanisms of exercise limitation. Methods: The study has a cross-sectional design with retrospective retrieval of the available spirometric data of 4-6 years ago. We studied 16 patients with POB (10 to 23 yrs old), followed up inan outpatient tertiary care clinic. All subjects underwent resting lung function testingand exercise testing. A control group, composedbysex, age and height, was usedcontaining 10subjects. Results: When compared PBO patients with control group, patients presented worse resting lung function, with moderate-to-severe air flow obstruction and air trapping. Peak exercise capacity was significantly lower in patients (peak O2: 87±22 vs 110±21% pred; P=0.01) with a greater proportion than in patients presenting reduced aerobic capacity [peak O2<84% pred: 7/16(44%) vs 1/10(10%); p= 0.09]. In correlations analyses, peak aerobic capacity (expressed both as absolute values and %pred) was significantly correlated with age in patients (r= 0.59, p= 0.02), body mass index (BMI) (r= 0.55, p= 0.03), lung diffusion capacity (DLCO% pred) (r= 0.66, p= 0.01), rest inspiratory capacity(IC)/total lung capacity(TLC) (r= 0.52, p=0.04) and residual volume (RV)/TLC (r= -0.56, p= 0.03). No association was found, however, between peak O2 and final exercise values and change from rest of SpO2 (p=0.79 and 0.76, respectively) peak ventilation/maximal ventilatory ventilation ratio ( E/MVV) (p=0.82) and other resting lung function values [forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, IC, TLC and RV) when expressed as %pred. On the other hand, FEV1 were moderately correlated with DLCO (r= 0.59, p= 0.03), and strongly with IC/TLC (r= 0.90, p= 0.00) and RV/TLC (r= -0.89, p= 0.00). Current spirometric values were not different from those of 4-6 years ago when expressed as % of pred (FEV1: 60±30 vs 60±22; FVC: 73±22 vs 69±14), although when expressed in liters, current values are greater (FEV1: 1.94±0.93 vs 1.14±0.50; FVC: 2.79±0.89 vs 1.52±0.45; p= 0.00 and 0.00, respectively). Conclusion: We have shown in a sample of adolescent and adult patients with PBO that peak aerobic capacity is reduced compared to healthy controls and almost half of the patients had reduced aerobic capacity when expressed as percent of predict. Peak aerobic capacity was directly correlated with age, lung diffusion capacity and parameters of rest hyperinflation and air trapping. The greater the air flow limitation (lower FEV1), the greater the hyperinflation and air trapping were.

Introdução: A característica clínica principal da DPOC é a intolerância ao exercício físico. O mecanismo dessa limitação é complexo e multifatorial. Os principais mecanismos considerados responsáveis são a hiperinsuflação pulmonar dinâmica (HD) e disfunção muscular periférica. A hipótese principal do presente estudo é que a diminuição da massa livre de gordura (MLG) nesses pacientes, além de diretamente contribuir para redução da capacidade aeróbia, poderia contribuir indiretamente causando acentuação da HD durante o exercício. Objetivo: Investigar se a quantidade de MLG tem efeitos diretos na hiperinsuflação pulmonar dinâmica, durante o exercício em pacientes com DPOC. Métodos: 38 pacientes em estádio moderado a grave realizaram teste de exercício cardiopulmonar incremental até o limite da tolerância com medidas seriadas de capacidade inspiratória (CI). A MLG foi medida pelo teste de bioimpedância elétrica de corpo inteiro. Foram coletados também dados de função pulmonar (espirometria). Resultados: A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 66,5 ± 7,3 anos de idade, com média de VEF1 de 0,98 ± 0.05L (42 ± 15% do previsto). Valores de CI no pico do exercício (uma variável inversamente relacionada com os volumes pulmonares operacionais, ou seja, quanto maior a CI menor é hiperinflação pulmonar) foram significativamente (p <0,05) correlacionados com a CI de repouso (r = 0,78), VEF1 (r = 0,66), CVF (r = 0,56), MLG (r = 0,46) e com o índice de massa livre de gordura (IMLG) (r = 0,39). No entanto, na análise multivariada apenas o VEF1 e a CI em repouso permaneceram preditivos da CI de pico de exercício. A CI de pico foi um preditor significativo da capacidade aeróbia máxima. Conclusão: A MLG apresentou relação direta com as medidas de hiperinsuflação dinâmica durante o exercício. Contudo, a associação não se manteve quando foram feitos ajustes para indicadores de limitação do fluxo aéreo expiratório (VEF1) e hiperinflação pulmonar em repouso (CI de repouso). / Purposes: Investigate if the amount of fat free mass (FFM) has direct effects in dynamic hyperinflation during exercise in COPD patients. Methods: 38 patients with moderate to severe COPD performed treadmill incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test to the limit of tolerance with serial measurements of inspiratory capacity (IC). FFM was measured by whole-body bioelectrical impedance. Results: Patients were 66.5±7.3 years-old with mean FEV1 of 0.98±0.05L (42±15% of predicted). Peak exercise values of IC (a variable inversely related with operational lung volumes, i.e. the greater IC lower is pulmonary hyperinflation) was significantly (p<0.05) correlated with IC at rest (r=0.78), FEV1 (r=0.66), FVC (r=0.56), FFM (r=0.46) and FFM index (r=0.39). However, in multivariable analyzes only FEV1 and IC at rest remained predictive of peak IC. Peak IC was a significant predictor of peak aerobic capacity. Conclusion: FFM was directly related with measurements of dynamic hyperinflation. Nonetheless, this association disappeared when adjustments were made for indicators of expiratory airflow limitation (FEV1) and lung hyperinflation at rest (rest IC).

The level and completeness of spinal cord injury (SCI) above the first lumbar vertebra determine the degree of multi-system impairments including altered respiratory function and decreased capacity to maintain upright posture and seated postural stability in humans. Both systems were studied in able-bodied (AB) subjects and individuals with tetraplegia to explore the potential of functional electrical stimulation (FES) as a neuroprosthesis for seated postural control without compromising respiratory function. Data for AB participants (n=10) indicated higher tidal volumes, greater trunk extensor muscle activity, and different values of seated postural stability in upright sitting compared to slouch sitting. In three case studies of individuals with tetraplegia, surface FES was applied to trunk muscles. Changes in tidal volume, respiratory rate, and seated postural stability were case specific. These studies inform the development of a strategy for non-invasive FES as a neuroprosthesis for sitting balance while preserving respiratory function in individuals with SCI.

The level and completeness of spinal cord injury (SCI) above the first lumbar vertebra determine the degree of multi-system impairments including altered respiratory function and decreased capacity to maintain upright posture and seated postural stability in humans. Both systems were studied in able-bodied (AB) subjects and individuals with tetraplegia to explore the potential of functional electrical stimulation (FES) as a neuroprosthesis for seated postural control without compromising respiratory function. Data for AB participants (n=10) indicated higher tidal volumes, greater trunk extensor muscle activity, and different values of seated postural stability in upright sitting compared to slouch sitting. In three case studies of individuals with tetraplegia, surface FES was applied to trunk muscles. Changes in tidal volume, respiratory rate, and seated postural stability were case specific. These studies inform the development of a strategy for non-invasive FES as a neuroprosthesis for sitting balance while preserving respiratory function in individuals with SCI.

Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) causes hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Europe. After inhalation of virus shed by bank voles, the virus systemically targets the vascular endothelium leading to vascular dysfunction and leakage. Many patients with PUUV infection experience cardiopulmonary manifestations but the underlying mechanisms have not been determined. The aims of the studies presented were to describe cardiopulmonary manifestations, investigate pathogenetic mechanisms including presence of virus in the lungs and the local immune response in PUUV infection. The results showed cardiopulmonary involvement of varying severity in almost all studied patients. High-resolution computed tomography frequently revealed vascular leakage into the lungs or pleural cavities. Pulmonary function tests generally showed reduced gas diffusing capacity, evidenced in patients as dyspnea, poor oxygenation and frequent need of oxygen treatment. Among patients who were not fully recovered at 3 months follow-up, remaining decreased gas diffusing capacity was highly common. Echocardiography revealed mainly right heart dysfunction which was related to manifestations within the lungs, in terms of increased estimated pulmonary vascular resistance, mild to moderate pulmonary hypertension, and reduced right ventricular systolic function in patients with more pronounced lung involvement, as indicated by need of oxygen treatment. Analyses on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and bronchial biopsies revealed a highly activated cytotoxic T cell (CTL) response in the lungs. The CTL response was not balanced by the expansion of regulatory T cells and high numbers of CTLs were associated with more severe disease. PUUV RNA was detected in almost all patients’ BAL samples and the viral load was inversely correlated to the number of CTLs. Three patients presenting with severe and fatal cardiopulmonary distress were also described. Autopsies revealed PUUV protein in vascular endothelium in all investigated organs, including the heart and lungs, along with a massive CTL response mainly in the lungs. In conclusion, cardiopulmonary involvement of varying severity was present in almost all patients with PUUV infection. Cytotoxic immune responses could contribute to disease development but also help in clearing the infection. Long lasting fatigue after hantavirus infection may be explained by remaining manifestations within the lungs.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2007. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Μελέτη της αναπνευστικής λειτουργίας με εργοσπιρομετρία σε ασθενείς με γαστροοισοφαγική παλινδρομική νόσο. Εισαγωγή: Η Γαστροοισοφαγική Παλινδρομική Νόσος (ΓΟΠΝ) έχει συσχετισθεί με πλειάδα πνευμονικών εκδηλώσεων αλλά είναι ασαφές εάν η γαστροοισοφαγική παλινδρόμηση προκαλεί οποιαδήποτε δυσλειτουργία στην πνευμονική λειτουργία. Η εργοσπιρομετρία είναι μια εξειδικευμένη μέθοδος η οποία χρησιμοποιείται για να διερευνήσει την αναπνευστική λειτουργία κατά την άσκηση. Σκοπός: Σκοπός της μελέτης ήταν να αποκαλυφθεί οποιαδήποτε ανωμαλία της πνευμονικής λειτουργίας σε ασθενείς με ΓΟΠΝ και αναπνευστικά συμπτώματα. Μέθοδος: Μελετήσαμε 34 ασθενείς με ΓΟΠΝ (ηλικίας 21-63, 24 άνδρες/10 γυναίκες) και εξωοισοφαγικά αναπνευστικά συμπτώματα (συριγμός ή/και βήχας) πριν και μετά από 12 εβδομάδες θεραπεία με διπλή δόση ομεπραζόλης. Κανείς ασθενής δεν παρουσίασε παθολογική σπιρομέτρηση. Εργομετρία διενεργήθηκε σε όλους του ασθενείς πριν την θεραπεία και μετά την θεραπεία. Γαστροσκόπηση διενεργήθηκε σε όλους τους ασθενείς πριν την θεραπεία και σε αυτούς με οισοφαγίτιδα επανελήφθη μετά την θεραπεία. Καταγραφήκαν οι ακόλουθες εργομετρικές παράμετροι: VO2rest, VO2max, VCO2rest, VCO2max, O2–puls rest, O2–puls max, HR (heart rate) rest, HRmax, PETCO2rest, PETCO2max, VE/VCO2 SLOPE πριν και μετά την θεραπεία. Αποτελέσματα: Είκοσι τέσσερις ασθενείς (70.6%) είχαν οισοφαγίτιδα (βαθμού Α-D), 16 ασθενείς είχαν διαφραγματοκήλη (47.1%), και σε 13 ασθενείς (38.23 %) ανιχνεύθηκε Helicobacter pylori.Οι εργομετρικές παράμετροι ήταν εντός φυσιολογικών ορίων σε όλους τους ασθενείς, κανείς ασθενής δεν παρουσίασε οποιαδήποτε ανωμαλία κατά την άσκηση. Είκοσι οκτώ ασθενείς επανελέγχθηκαν. Καμία βελτίωση σε οποιαδήποτε εργομετρική παράμετρο μετά την θεραπεία δεν παρατηρήθηκε παρά την ύφεση των οισοφαγικών και των εξωοισοφαγικών συμπτωμάτων σε όλους τους ασθενείς. Καμία στατιστικώς σημαντική διαφορά δεν παρατηρήθηκε πριν και μετά την θεραπεία μεταξύ ασθενών μεγαλύτερων των 40 ετών και νεότερων των 40 ετών, καπνιστών και μη καπνιστών, Hp(+) και Hp(-) ασθενών, όπως επίσης και μεταξύ ασθενών με και χωρίς οισοφαγίτιδα, και μεταξύ ασθενών με και χωρίς διαφραγματοκήλη. Συμπεράσματα: Ασθενείς με ΓΟΠΝ, αναπνευστικές εκδηλώσεις και φυσιολογική σπιρομέτρηση, δεν παρουσιάζουν διαταραχές κατά την εργομετρία (δοκιμασία άσκησης). Επίσης δεν παρατηρείται καμιά κλινικά αξιόλογη μεταβολή στις εργομετρικές τιμές μετά την θεραπεία ούτε διαφορά στις εργομετρικές τιμές σύμφωνα με την ηλικία, το κάπνισμα, την παρουσία H.pylori, οισοφαγίτιδας ή διαφραγματοκήλης. / Evaluation of respiratory function with cardiopulmonary exercise test in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been associated with a variety of pulmonary manifestations but it is unclear if gastroesophageal reflux causes any abnormality in pulmonary function. Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is a specialized method which is used to evaluate respiratory function during exercise. Aim: The aim of this study was to reveal any abnormality of pulmonary function in patients with GERD and respiratory symptoms. Method: We evaluated 34 patients with GERD (age 21-63, 24 men) and extraesophageal respiratory symptoms (wheezing and/or cough) before therapy and after twelve weeks treatment with double dose omeprazole. No patient presented abnormal spirometry. CPET was performed in all patients at baseline and after completion of 12 week treatment. The following CPET parameters: VO2rest, VO2max, VCO2rest, VCO2max, O2–pulse rest, O2–pulse max, HR (heart rate) rest, HRmax, PETCO2rest, PETCO2max, VE/VCO2 slope were recorded pre-treatment and post-treatment. Results: Twenty four patients (70.6%) had esophagitis (grade I-IV), 16 patients had hiatal hernia (47.1%) and in 13 patients (38,2%) Helicobacter pylori was positive. All patients completed the CPET. No one presented shortness of breath or respiratory symptoms. CPET parameters were within normal limits in all patients. Twenty eight patients were reevaluated. No improvement in any CPET parameter post treatment was observed despite remission of esophageal and extraesophageal symptoms in all patients. No statistically significant difference was observed pre and post-treatment, between older and younger than 40 year old patients, smokers and non smokers, Hp(+) and Hp(-) patients and those with and without hiatal hernia and esophagitis. Conclusions: Patients with GERD and respiratory manifestations and normal spirometry present no pulmonary dysfunction during CPET. Also no alterations in CPET values post-treatment neither differences in CPET values according to age, smoking, Hp status, presence of oesophagitis or hiatal hernia were observed.