The Importance of the Number of Reflux Episodes in the Diagnosis of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the sensitivity parameters of the percentage of time the pH is <4 and >7, as well as the total number of laryngopharyngeal reflux episodes in 24 hours, in patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux disease. Study Design Retrospective controlled study. Setting University hospital. Subjects and Methods The study was conducted on 46 patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux disease and 58 healthy controls. Patients and controls underwent 24 hours of dual-probe pH monitoring of the distal and cervical esophagus. Patients completed a Reflux Symptom Index questionnaire and underwent esophageal manometry. Data concerning the percentage of time the pH was <4 and >7 and the number of reflux episodes registered at the cervical esophagus were collected and evaluated. Results The percentage of time the pH is <4 and the number of laryngopharyngeal reflux episodes seem to be a reliable diagnostic laryngopharyngeal reflux criterion reaching satisfactory sensitivity (81% and 83%, respectively). Although the pH >7 parameter appeared statistically different between the 2 groups ( P < .001), the sensitivity of the test appeared to be poor (55%). Conclusion Our study demonstrates the importance of the absolute number of laryngopharyngeal reflux episodes in 24 hours in the diagnosis of patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux, proposing it as a new diagnostic criterion.