This protocol proposes to test the following hypothesis: Treatment with laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery in subjects with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and abnormal gastroesophageal (GER) reflux will slow the decline of forced vital capacity (FVC) over 48 weeks. This study will randomize approximately 58 subjects with IPF and abnormal acid reflux on 24-hour impedance / pH monitoring to laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery or standard care (randomization ratio 1:1). Subjects will be followed for 48 weeks or until the time of lung transplantation or death.~We aim to achieve the following: determine the impact of laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery on change in FVC over 48 weeks in patients with IPF and abnormal GER; correlate the reduction in acid and non-acid reflux events with the change in FVC over 48 weeks in patients with IPF and abnormal GER; determine the safety of laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery in patients with IPF and abnormal GER; explore the impact of laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery on key secondary endpoints over 48 weeks in patients with IPF and abnormal GER; identify molecular markers of IPF disease activity and gastroesophageal reflux in biological samples from patients with IPF and abnormal GER.
This study will test the hypothesis that treatment with laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery in subjects with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and abnormal gastroesophageal reflux (GER) will slow the decline of forced vital capacity (FVC) over 48 weeks.