Table 2 Baseline characteristics of subjects

Age, yrs

33.6 ± 1.9

34.9 ± 1.9

34.3 ± 1.3

Gender, (M:F)

9:11

6:14

15:25

BMI, (kg/m²)

20.6 ± 0.6

20.5 ± 0.7

20.5 ± 0.4

GERD symptom score (frequency x severity)*

22.0 ± 3.2

30.5 ± 4.6

26.2 ± 2.9

DeMeester score*

5.3 ± 0.9

44.2 ± 7.1

24.8 ± 4.7

Asthma severity* (no of subjects)

 Mild intermittent

11

3

14

 Mild persistent

6

11

17

 Moderate or severe persistent

3

6

9

Asthma medication (no of subjects)

-

-

-

 Oral salbutamol

10

13

23

 Inhaled salbutamol

6

7

13

 Oral theophylline

2

5

7

 Oral steroids

2

6

8

 Inhaled steroids

6

10

16

Spirometry results, mean ± SE

 FVC (L)

3.3 ± 0.1

3.1 ± 0.1

3.2 ± 0.1

 FEV1 (L)

2.7 ± 0.1

2.6 ± 0.1

2.7 ± 0.1

 PEFR (L)

4.3 ± 0.2

4.1 ± 0.2

4.2 ± 0.1

Autonomic function testing results

1.1 ± 0.03

1.2 ± 0.02

HR ratio*

1.21 ± 0.04

1.1 ± 0.03

1.2 ± 0.02

HR difference

23.1 ± 1.8

23.1 ± 1.5

23.01 ± 1.2

Valsalva ratio

1.3 ± 0.1

1.2 ± 0.05

1.2 ± 0.04