Table 3

Associations between lung function, bronchodilator responsiveness and reflux symptoms and irritable bowel syndrome in women and men.

Heartburn

Regurgitation

Heartburn and regurgitation

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

n

Coeff (95% CI)

p

Coeff (95% CI)

p

Coeff (95% CI)

P

Coeff (95% CI)

p

FEV₁/FVC

Women

402

-0.52 (-2.72, 1.68)

0.643

-5.14 (-8.09, -2.20)

0.001

-5.55 (-9.07, -2.04)

0.002

0.04 (-1.58, 1.65)

0.966

Men

464

0.07 (-1.80, 1.94)

0.942

-0.10 (-2.80, 2.61)

0.944

-0.28 (-3.50, 2.95)

0.866

-0.70 (-2.61, 1.21)

0.473

p-itn

0.609

0.013

0.029

0.618

n

OR (95% CI)

p

OR (95% CI)

p

OR (95% CI)

P

OR (95% CI)

p

BDR

Women

398

3.53 (1.28, 9.70)

0.015

8.74 (2.99, 25.6)

<0.001

11.5 (3.40, 38.6)

<0.001

0.76 (0.25, 2.30)

0.628

Men

455

1.67 (0.76, 3.68)

0.199

1.11 (0.32, 3.85)

0.864

1.72 (0.48, 6.13)

0.403

1.59 (0.70, 3.61)

0.270

p-itn

0.256

0.014

0.035

0.300

The FEV₁/FVC ratio is analysed by linear regression and bronchodilator response by logistic regression. Analyses use these as the dependent variables and are adjusted for BMI. Coeff = regression coefficient, OR = odds ratio, 95% CI = 95% confidence intervals, p-itn = p value for interaction between sex and reflux symptoms, BDR = 10% or greater increase in FEV₁ following salbutamol.

Hancox et al. Respiratory Research 2006 7:142   doi:10.1186/1465-9921-7-142