Early fundoplication is associated with slower decline in lung function after lung transplantation in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease

Abstract

Objectives: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is prevalent after lung transplantation. Fundoplication slows lung function decline in patients with GERD, but the optimal timing of fundoplication is unknown. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent fundoplication after lung transplantion at our center from April 2007 to July 2014. Patients were divided into 2 groups: early fundoplication (<6 months after lung transplantation) and late fundoplication (≥6 months after lung transplantation). Annual decline in percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was analyzed. Results: Of the 251 patients who underwent lung transplantation during the study period with available pH data, 86 (34.3%) underwent post-transplantation fundoplication for GERD. Thirty of 86 (34.9%) had early fundoplication and 56 of 86 (65.1%) had late fundoplication. Median time from lung transplantation to fundoplication was 4.6 months (interquartile range, 2.0-5.2) and 13.8 months (interquartile range, 9.0-16.1) for the early and late groups, respectively. The median DeMeester score was comparable between groups. One-, 3-, and 5-year actuarial survival rates in the early group were 90%, 70%, and 70%, respectively; in the late group, these rates were 91%, 66%, and 66% (log rank P =.60). Three- and 5-year percent predicted FEV1 was lower in the late group by 8.9% (95% confidence interval, −30.2 to 12.38; P =.46) and 40.7% (95% confidence interval, −73.66 to −7.69; P =.019). A linear mixed model showed a 5.7% lower percent predicted FEV1 over time in the late fundoplication group (P