ABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: Chronic laryngitis may have life impact on professional voice users. Besides smoking and excessive alcohol intake, GERD is a determiniing factor in the etiology of dysphonia. AIM: To evaluate the laryngeal alteration due to GERD in professional voice users. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 96 vocal professionals (teachers, actors, singers and priests), 58 males and 38 females, with a mean age of 38.3 +/- 7.5 years, presented for chronic laryngeal symptoms. The patients filled out a standardized questionnaire and were examined laryngoscopically. RESULTS: Laryngeal changes were scaled 0 (absence) to 7 (maximum) - arytenoid edema (5.07 +/- 1.08), interarytenoid edema (6.18 +/- 1.12), vocal folds edema (5.67 +/- 1.04), ventricular bands edema (4.96 +/- 0.97), laryngeal edema 4.12 +/- 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: Laryngoscopic changes may suggest the concomitance of GERD in professional voice users with dysphonia.
Subject(s)
Gastroesophageal Reflux/pathology , Laryngitis/pathology , Occupational Diseases/pathology , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Female , Gastroesophageal Reflux/complications , Humans , Laryngitis/etiology , Laryngoscopy , Male , Middle Aged , Occupational Diseases/etiology , Risk Factors , Vocal Cords/pathologyABSTRACT
Pharyngolaryngeal reflux (PLR) refers to backflow of stomach contents into the throat and larynx. Its diagnosis is difficult because of a variety of atypical symptoms, low sensitivity of traditional tests of gastrointestinal tract, and no consensus on the diagnostic algorithm. The aim of this study was to provide an algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of PLR. There were no pathognomonic symptoms or findings, but the characteristic symptoms validate the Reflux Symptom Index and Reflux Findings Score as tools in the initial diagnosis. The first approach is empirical medical treatment for 3 month, based on endoscopic findings at laryngofiberscopy; then objective demonstration of reflux events using multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring. Proton pump inhibitors represent the mainstay of therapy for the patients with PLR, but they require a more aggressive and prolonged treatment than the patients with gastroesophageal symptoms.
