To Determine the Prevalence of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux in Patients of Various Throat Disorders and to Evaluate the Efficacy of Anti-reflux Therapy.

Abstract

To study the prevalence of Laryngopharyngeal reflux in individuals having throat complaints by applying the Reflux Symptom Index and Reflux finding score as a prognostic tool after anti reflux therapy. Materials and Methods: A Cross-sectional study of 75 patients of age 18 years and above with clinical diagnosis of Laryngopharyngeal reflux was conducted in ENT. Cases were examined with detailed history and thorough examination with indirect laryngoscopy and Hopkins 70 degree endoscope. Symptoms and findings of patients were assessed by Belafsky Reflux Symptom Index and Reflux Finding Score. Patients presenting Belafsky Reflux Symptom Index > 13 and also Reflux Finding Score > 7 were classified as having Laryngopharyngeal reflux. After 6 weeks of treatment, patients were reassessed and Reflux Symptom Index and Reflux finding score were calculated. Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 37.12 ± 12.39 years. Most common symptom reported based on RSI questionnaire was excessive throat mucus (81.33%) followed by clearing of throat (75%) and coughing on lying down and heartburn. Based on the Laryngoscopy, about 57.33% had thick endolarygeal mucus, 56% had diffuse erythema, 45.33% had granulations and 29.33% had subglottic edema. Based on the reflux symptom scores, we found 53.33% and 80% of patients based on reflux findings score to have Laryngopharyngeal Reflux. The mean Reflux Symptom Index scores were 16.25 ± 5.53 and 10.73 ± 4.40 and also the mean Reflux Finding scores were 13.81 ± 2.42 and 6.61 ± 2.16 respectively before and after the treatment which was statistically significant.

• Authors: Anna Singh, Sangeeta Varty, M V Kirtane, Amitav Shukla, Annanya Soni
• Journal: Indian journal of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery : official publication of the Association of Otolaryngologists of India (Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg) Vol. 75 Issue 2 Pg. 720-724 (Jun 2023) ISSN: 2231-3796 [Print] India
• PMID: 37275041 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © Association of Otolaryngologists of India 2023. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.