Frequency and severity of asthma in patients with hiatal hernia

<bold>Background:</bold> Hiatal Hernia (HH) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been associated with respiratory conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis. However, their association with asthma remains ambiguous. This study aims to investigate the proportion of asthma among HH patients, assess its severity, and screen for associated symptoms. <bold>Methods:</bold> A retrospective descriptive study, conducted at Hôtel Dieu de France from January 2020 to May 2023, included patients with HH diagnosed on CT scan. Asthma severity was assessed using the Global Initiative for Asthma symptom control criteria. In non-asthmatic patients, respiratory symptoms were evaluated using a validated questionnaire; the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS). GERD medications, symptoms, and gender were recorded. <bold>Results:</bold> 1,308 patients (7.53%) of 17,374 scans were positive for HH. After excluding patients who did not respond to calls or were deceased, a total of 453 patients were included. Notably, 67 (14.79%) were asthmatic, 28 (41.79%) had uncontrolled asthma. Among non-asthmatic patients, 136 (35.23%) reported at least one unspecified respiratory symptom. In HH patients, gender and GERD symptoms showed no association with asthma (p=0.07, p=0.11, respectively). However, those taking GERD medications exhibited a higher asthma risk (OR 1.9 (1.04-3.36), p= 0.03). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> The presence of an HH may lead to poorly controlled asthma. Additionally, GERD medication treatment increases the risk of having asthma, creating an ambivalence about the best approach to manage both conditions.