Salivary Epidermal Growth Factor Concentration in Adults with Reflux Laryngitis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The mechanisms involved in the muco-sal alterations of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) have not been well established. Reports indicate a decrease in the salivary epidermal growth factor (EGF) of patients with reflux esophagitis, but there are no reports of its behavior in LPR. Our objective was to determine the salivary concentration of EGF in adults with LPR. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Salivary EGF concentration of 26 patients with LPR and 20 healthy controls was determined using a commercially available ELISA kit. Patients with LPR were graded according to endoscopic and laryngoscopic criteria. RESULTS: Salivary EGF concentration was significantly lower in the LPR group when compared with controls ( P = 0.002). No correlation between the severity of laryngeal findings or esophagitis and salivary EGF concentration could be determined. CONCLUSIONS: The decreased salivary concentration of EGF in adults with LPR suggests that a deficiency in this polypeptide could be associated to the disease.