Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experiences among COPD patients with comorbid gastrooesophageal reflux disease

Aims and objectives To explore perceptions of experience exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with comorbid gastrooesophageal reflux disease by focusing on unravelling how patients differentiate and react to symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and gastrooesophageal reflux disease. Background While gastrooesophageal reflux disease has been suggested to be a risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations, no study has explored perceptions of the symptoms leading up to severe exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease events among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with comorbid gastrooesophageal reflux disease. Design Qualitative design. Methods The analysis was performed in accordance with principles of Grounded Theory methodology. Data were collected via semi‐structured interviews from 12 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with endoscopy‐diagnosed gastrooesophageal reflux disease who had experienced a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation with hospitalisation. Appraisal and analysis using consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist were undertaken. Results The core category of this study was the ineffective management of exacerbation symptoms, which was associated with perceived symptoms pre‐exacerbation which contained three overlapping categories of symptom presentation experienced, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease‐related coping strategies, high anxiety and a sense of helplessness in disease management. Conclusions Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with comorbid gastrooesophageal reflux disease presented with some distinctly different atypical symptoms yet used common respiratory symptom management strategies. Patients and practitioners alike need to be more aware of the possibility of other symptoms such as nonspecific symptoms being clues of exacerbation onset for a more effective intervention. Relevance to clinical practice The medical community needs to educate patients to understand and manage not only chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but also gastrooesophageal reflux disease symptoms so that they are better able to identify the cause of their symptoms, treat them appropriately and seek out medical assistance when necessary.