Gastroesophageal Reflux in Patients with Chronic Laryngeal Symptoms / 대한소화관운동학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of gastroesophageal reflux in patients with chronic laryngeal symptoms. METHODS: Fourty-four patients with chronic laryngeal symptoms had not responded to empirical therapies of otolaryngologist, mean age 44.3 years, were studied. They were evaluated with esophageal manometry and 24 hour ambulatory pH monitoring with 2 channel antimony probe. The pathologic reflux was defined as the percentage of total time that the pH was below 4.0 exceeded 4.0%. RESULTS: 1) Chronic laryngeal symptoms were sorethroat (57%), horeseness (50%), globus sensation (14%). 2) Six of the 44 patients had the pathologic reflux at the lower esophagus, four had the pathologic reflux at the upper esophagus. 3) Three (50%) of the 6 patients with pathologic reflux at the lower esophagus were upright refluxer, two (33%) were supine refluxer, and one (16%) was mixed refluxer. Three (75%) of the 4 patients with pathologic reflux at the upper esophagus were uprght refluxer, and one (25%) was supine refluxer. 4) Eleven of the 44 patients had symptoms of heartburn and chest pain. Seven of the 11 patients were more than 50% of the symptom index at the upper esophagus, Eight were at lower esophagus. Six (13.6%) of the 44 patients with positive symptom index did not have pathologic reflux. In summary, chronic laryngeal symptoms were related to acid reflux in twelve (27.2%) of the 44 patients. CONCLUSION: We suggest that some patients with chronic laryngeal symptoms in Korean may have abnormal gastroesophageal reflux.