Management of chronic laryngopharyngeal neuropathy in the United States and Europe.

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze differences in the evaluation of laryngopharyngeal neuropathy by laryngologists in the United States and Europe. Members of the American Laryngological Association (ALA) and the European Laryngological Society (ELS) were surveyed. Questionnaires were emailed to all 179 members of the ALA and all 324 members of the ELS. Of the ALA members surveyed, 40 (23.3%) responded, compared to 72 members (22.2%) of the ELS group. Of the ALA respondents, 79.5% identified laryngology as their primary area of practice, whereas 56.9% of ELS respondents identified devoting more than 50% of their practice to laryngology. Of ELS laryngologists, 81.1% received training in laryngology or associated subspecialties. For diagnosing laryngopharyngeal neuropathy, the average comfort level on the Likert scale was significantly greater for ALA members than ELS members (P<.01). Furthermore, ALA laryngologists were less likely to consider laryngopharyngeal reflux as an overdiagnosed condition compared to ELS laryngologists (P<.05). Laryngologists in the United States and Europe vary significantly in their familiarity with laryngopharyngeal neuropathy. This could reflect either differences in awareness concerning this condition or a more critical perspective of European providers regarding the chronic laryngopharyngeal neuropathy (CLPN) diagnosis. As CLPN is still lacking definitive proof, the addition of European researchers could aid in validating CLPN and determining its overall effect on the chronic cough population.