A pilot study on the diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux diseases

Abstract

To study the value of the reflux symptom index (RSI) and reflux finding score (RFS) in laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD). Twenty-five patients with RSI scores > 13 or RFS scores > 7 and sixteen patients with RSI scores > 13 and RFS scores > 7 were suspected as LPRD. Forty one patients with the RSI scores > 13 and/or RFS scores > 7 were suspected as LPRD, 15 patients with the RSI scores <or= 13 and RFS scores <or= 7 were regarded as control group. All the patients had 24-hour dual probe pH monitoring. Twenty-five patients with positive pH monitoring hand received anti-reflux treatment with omeprazole for 3 months, and then the RSI and RFS was estimated again. The RSI and RFS scoring had high consistent with the results of pH monitoring (Kappa = 0.43, u = 3.48, P < 0.01), especially if RSI scores > 13 and RFS scores > 7 (Kappa = 0.55, u = 3.06, P < 0.01). There was a significant decreasing in RSI and RFS scoring in patients after anti-acid treatment for 3 months (t(RSI) = 8.838, P(RSI) = 0.000; t(RFS) = 5.695, P(RFS) = 0.000). The RSI and RFS can be used as screening tool for laryngopharyngeal reflux diseases and as a simple method for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment.