Do the laryngopharyngeal symptoms and signs ameliorate by empiric treatment in patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux?

• Published in: Auris, nasus, larynx Vol. 38; no. 5; pp. 622 - 627
• Main Authors: Naiboglu, Baris, Durmus, Ruhi, Tek, Arman, Toros, Sema Zer, Egeli, Erol
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01-10-2011
• Subjects: 2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles - administration & dosage; 2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles - therapeutic use; Adult; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Empiric reflux treatment; Female; Gastroesophageal reflux; Gastroesophageal Reflux - diet therapy; Gastroesophageal Reflux - drug therapy; Gastroesophageal Reflux - physiopathology; Humans; Lansoprazole; Laryngopharyngeal reflux; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux - diet therapy; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux - drug therapy; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux - physiopathology; Larynx - drug effects; Larynx - physiopathology; Male; Middle Aged; Otolaryngology; Pharynx - drug effects; Pharynx - physiopathology; Reflux finding score; Reflux symptom index; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome; Gastroesophageal reflux; Reflux finding score; Laryngopharyngeal reflux; Empiric reflux treatment; Reflux symptom index
• ISSN: 0385-8146; 1879-1476
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2011.01.010

Abstract Objectives In clinical practice, antireflux medication is given almost always empirically without pH monitorization. We aimed to evaluate the improving effect of empiric antireflux treatment on layngopharyngeal symptoms and signs in patients with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) according to reflux symptom index (RSI) and reflux finding score (RFS). Methods GER was determined by esophagogastroduedonoscopy and biopsy in 127 patients. RSI and RFS were calculated for each patient. The patients with a pathology other than LFR which may be responsible from laryngopharyngeal symptoms and signs were excluded from the study. Fifty patients whom were thought to have LPR according to RSI and RFS comprised the study group. After 12-weeks of antireflux treatment, RSI and RFS were calculated again. The statistical analyses were made according to the changes in the severity and frequency of each symptom and sign. Results There was statistically significant improvement in RSI and RFS after treatment when compared with initial scores. There was statistically significant improvement in severity of all symptoms and signs. Although there was quantitively decrease in frequency of some signs and symptoms, complete resolution of the disease was not observed generally. Conclusion Empiric antireflux treatment according to RSI and RFS is an effective method. Antireflux treatment has a significant improving effect on laryngopharyngeal symptoms and signs. There may be needed longer times of treatment for complete resolution of symptoms and signs.